McLaughlin, alongside along with his race-winning team-mate Josef Newgarden, was stripped of his podium end within the season opener on the Floridian road monitor after it was found they each illegally used the push-to-pass overtake system following restarts, when the system ought to’ve been disabled.
“I realized about this complete factor on Tuesday after Lengthy Seaside,” McLaughlin stated. “I haven’t got any recollection of truly touching the button, however the knowledge is black and white.
“I did contact it. I settle for the penalty, I transfer on. That is all I can do. I’ve received to simply preserve pushing on and simply give attention to the job at hand.
“I gained no time benefit. I did not go a automotive with it, and the restarts after that and the beginning of the race, I did not use it both.
“I had no concept that this was even a problem until the Tuesday after Lengthy Seaside. When Tim [Cindric, Team Penske’s president] rang me, it was like 12 o’clock and I used to be simply as shocked as anybody.
“And like I stated, I had no recollection really pushing it at St. Pete within the spot that I did – I genuinely, genuinely do not. However I did and settle for that and transfer on.”
Scott McLaughlin, Group Penske Chevrolet
Photograph by: Josh Tons / Motorsport Images
When requested why he didn’t converse to Newgarden, who claims he was beneath the misapprehension that utilizing the overtake system was allowed in 2024, McLaughlin stated he was nicely conscious that he shouldn’t use push-to-pass at restarts however did it “out of behavior”.
“We’re fairly clear, however there’s clearly some issues that weren’t stated on that facet and… I do know that there wasn’t a rule change,” he added. “I learn the rule ebook and that is the way it was, however sadly, I’ve pushed the button out of behavior on the primary race restart of the 12 months. We have executed it earlier than up to now. It is simply how it’s.
“I’ve learn the rule ebook and I do it yearly. I do know the rule did not change and it’s only a routine factor that, that sadly occurred. I can not even keep in mind doing it. It’s black and white, I settle for the penalty.”
McLaughlin confirmed that he’d been involved with group proprietor Roger Penske “all week” and added: “He is received full belief in what I stand for as a driver and, and the place we go shifting ahead, he is aware of that I can come again and win this championship and that is what we’re centered on proper now.
“One of the best half for me is getting again in a race automotive and driving that factor as quick as I can.”
Scott McLaughlin, Group Penske Chevrolet
Photograph by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images
Regardless of solely having 5 factors after two races – following a gearbox failure at Lengthy Seaside final weekend – McLaughlin stays upbeat about his possibilities.
“I can nonetheless win the championship and that is, that is my focus shifting ahead,” McLaughlin instructed Motorsport.com. “I’ve little doubt we are able to win this race this weekend.
“I’ve little doubt that group Chevy are gonna give me the perfect engines attainable and finest gas mileage, and we’ll simply preserve working laborious collectively as a group. And I am excited for the problem.”