Lowndes is no stranger to controversial team and manufacturer changes, having jumped from Holden to Ford at the height of the bitter rivalry between the makes back in 2001.

He has since returned to the red side, although that change came when Triple Eight switched from running Fords to Holdens in 2010.

With McLaughlin facing a similar dilemma – seemingly boiling down to a choice between the Garry Rogers Motorsport squad and big players DJR Team Penske – Lowndes says it won’t be an easy situation for the young Kiwi.

Ultimately, Lowndes says, McLaughlin has to be comfortable with what he decides.

“If you’re going to change manufacturers, it’s one of the hardest decisions to make,” explained Lowndes.

“For me it wasn’t an easy decision when I first moved from Holden to Ford; the second decision to go back from Ford to Holden wasn’t my choice, it was the team’s choice. I was contracted to the team.

“The first part of it, it is a very emotional decision because you are very loyal to the people who give you the kick-start in V8s, and that’s something that you’ve got to look at. You’ve got to weigh up all your options.

“At the end of the day, we’re race drivers; we want to be in a strong team winning races and having good support.

“There is loyalty there, for sure, but you’ve got to look at the opportunities of longevity and what you want to do, which is achieve victories.

“It is [a big decision]. Scotty will I’m sure have good people around him, and good advice.

“The only person who can make the decision is him in the end, and that’s something that he’ll have to be comfortable with, whatever decision he goes with.”