18 May 2016

McLaughlin torn between loyalty and opportunity

5:13 pm on 18 May 2016

The in demand New Zealand Supercar driver Scott McLaughlin admits he's torn between loyalty and opportunity as he weighs up his options for next season.

McLaughlin says he's been approached by the Ford aligned DJR Team Penske.

With Volvo's decision to cut ties with Gary Rogers Motorsport, McLaughlin's current team, it's forced him to think about his future before his contract expires at year's end.

Scott McLaughlin gets airborne in his Volvo.

Scott McLaughlin gets airborne in his Volvo. Photo: Photosport

"I haven't signed myself anywhere, I haven't done anything," McLaughlin told supercars.com.au.

"I've just been trying to find the pros and cons of each place, and at the moment, I've been very happy at Garry's, so I just have to weigh everything up.

"At the end of the day, I'm just trying to get the best deal for me on the table and be comfortable where I'm going."

The 22-year-old said it Rogers, whom he described as a friend and role model, gave him a start in the championship and that he would love to pay him back with a title this year.

Loyalty was a major thing in his mind, but so was opportunity.

"Garry's been good to me and just because one bad thing's happened to the team, I'm not going to throw the toys out of the cot and go," McLaughlin added.

"It's a tough thing.

"For me, it's about trying to understand where my team's going first before I jump the gun and just go to a team that's a complete unknown; that could be Penske, that could be anyone else.

"I feel like I have a big card to play, and I feel like I just have to take my time with it and make sure I choose the right option. But at this point in time, it's staying with Garry."

A move to DJR Team Penske would likely see him pair with fellow New Zealander Fabian Coulthard which would see Scott Pye losing his seat.

-AAP