Motorsport: Coulthard left wondering what might have been

Fabian Coulthard finished sixth at the Bathurst 1000. Photo / Supplied

DJR Team Penske and Kiwi driver Fabian Coulthard were left wondering what might have been at yesterday's Bathurst 1000.

Coulthard led the Great Race with only a handful of laps remaining but with serious question marks around whether he would have enough fuel to get to the finish. When a late safety car was deployed the whole field opted to pit and top up, including Coulthard, but the handy lead he had built up evaporated and he ended up finishing sixth.

"It was a tough day," Coulthard said. "We had a quick car but if you don't have the safety cars fall your way it makes life very difficult. That is the way this race works. The Mountain chooses you and today it chose those boys in the No 19."

"We are very strong in some areas but not so in others so that gives us a good point of focus as we head to 2017. At the end of the day, we got good points and put a straight car in the truck before the Gold Coast."

Coulthard finished one spot behind his teammate Scott Pye, marking a good day for the Ford outfit.

Team boss Roger Penske made the trip out from the United States for his first visit to the Mountain.

"I was really impressed with the entire weekend from the standpoint of the organisation and the iconic track," Penske said.

"To see the interest from the fans is excellent. More importantly, we raced with some well-run competition and there is no question our team did well and to have the two cars with the Shell V-Power livery was terrific."

Coulthard has climbed to 11th in the championship and sits just two points outside the top 10.