His win in last year's Bathurst 1000 alongside Alex Premat was surrounded in controversy after the go-slow tactics of team-mate Fabian Coulthard and even now there are critics who are still saying the DJR Team Penske driver's triumph was tainted.

That's why McLaughlin wants to "come back stronger and prove a point" at Mount Panorama.

"There's always stories about why people didn't win and whatever, so you're always going to have that regardless," McLaughlin said.

"Obviously mine was a bit more controversial. At the end of the day it went to the highest order in regards to the stewards and they deemed everything was fine.

"If it's the only Bathurst I ever win or if it's one of them I'm forever proud.

"It probably was overshadowed a little bit, which is a bit unfortunate, but at the end of the day myself and Alex's name will always be on that trophy."

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Unlike McLaughlin's eight previous starts in the Great Race, this year is the first time the 161-lap epic will act as a season finale.

He also has a new co-driver in Tim Slade who, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only had a ride day and pre-season test at The Bend to familiarise himself with the #17 Mustang before Bathurst.

That is why having already sealed the championship eases the pressure.

"The approach is little bit different, it's probably heading in there now with a little bit of relief," he said.

"It certainly takes some pressure off my co-driver Tim Slade, who hasn't driven the car, but you know, it would have been difficult for any of those co-drivers competing for the championship going to Bathurst, the hardest race of the year, without any miles.

"So it relaxes us a little bit, let's us focus on just having a crack at the big one and I can't see that being a bad thing for us."