Former Supercars dominator turned IndyCar star Scott McLaughlin has openly expressed his strong desire to return to Mount Panorama in the future to hunt for his second career victory at the legendary Bathurst 1000. Ever since departing Australia at the conclusion of 2020 to pursue a full-time open-wheel career in the United States, the New Zealand charger has continually kept a close watch on his former championship roots.
The three-time Supercars title holder famously clinched the 2019 Great Race crown alongside teammate Alexandre Premat while driving for the organization then known as DJR Team Penske. Speaking recently on Speed, the Kiwi ace was quizzed about remaining bucket-list events, admitting that the punishing endurance classic at Bathurst sits right alongside iconic twice-around-the-clock epics at Le Mans and the Nurburgring.
"Watching Bathurst and Supercars, I’d love to race Bathurst again, I really would," McLaughlin said, as reported by Speedcafe. "It’s a great track, the event itself, it’s the one race a year where I miss home a little bit, watch every inch of it. Would I love to go back there and maybe having a chance at winning a second Bathurst 1000."
Despite his clear affection for the October classic, the likelihood of a sensational cameo appearance on the Supercars grid remains remarkably slim due to tightly packed professional obligations. Although the IndyCar season wraps up neatly in early September—roughly four weeks prior to the traditional second weekend of October slot for Bathurst—a strict Team Penske-first philosophy creates immediate scheduling hurdles regarding post-season testing.
Complicating matters further ahead of the 2027 and 2028 campaigns is the anticipated introduction of IndyCar's brand-new chassis regulation featuring the all-new IR-28. Commercial considerations, manufacturer ties, and complex sponsorship parameters mean any potential cameo requires delicate maneuvering.
"I’ve got to be careful. I race for Roger and make sure that I’m here for testing," McLaughlin explained. "It’s going to be a busy year from 2027 to 2028 with the new car. You throw a couple of feelers out there and see where everyone is at. Obviously it’s quite a complex situation with me personally from a sponsor perspective and you’ve got to do the right thing commercially. Never say never."
Should the alignment of the stars ever permit a sensational return, the factory IndyCar driver revealed his ultimate dream partner would be fellow countryman and former touring car adversary Shane van Gisbergen. However, Van Gisbergen's grueling 36-race commitment in the NASCAR Cup Series makes a Mount Panorama appearance practically impossible for the foreseeable future.
"My ultimate dream honestly would be to go back with Shane and run a wildcard with him," McLaughlin added. "It would be incredible. I know you guys spoke not long ago about Bathurst. He can’t do it because of NASCAR right now but that would be my want. I’d love to go back with him in a wildcard."
While the prospect of a Bathurst reunion lingers purely as a tantalizing future possibility, McLaughlin's immediate attention is firmly locked on kicking off his upcoming 2027 IndyCar Series campaign through the concrete canyons of St Petersburg on March 8.
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