hero-img

Big names, big moves: How are the new signings faring?

24 Jun 2021
14 drivers stayed where they were, with 10 others moving around
Advertisement

The 2021 Repco Supercars Championship grid featured a number of driver changes, with three teams coming into the new season with an all-new driver line-up.

Big names such as Will Davison, David Reynolds and Fabian Coulthard were on the move, and several young guns changed seats.

Matt Stone Racing duo Jake Kostecki and Zane Goddard have been included, considering they are both completing their maiden full-time seasons.

How are the 10 movers getting on five rounds into the season?

Supercars.com has laid out key stats pitting them against their teammates after the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown.

Will Davison

Qualifying vs teammate: 7-7Race vs teammate: 8-6Best qualifying result: 1st (x2)Best race result: 2nd (x3)Points: 1087 (4th)

It has been a bright return to the Dick Johnson Racing ranks for Davison, who has claimed seven podiums in 14 starts.

Darwin was a highlight, with Davison breaking the qualifying lap record twice before pushing Shane van Gisbergen all the way in the races.

It seems only a matter of time before the two-time Bathurst winner claims his first victory of the season.

Anton De Pasquale

Qualifying vs teammate: 7-7Race vs teammate: 6-8Best qualifying result: 1st (x3)Best race result: 1st (x1)Points: 762 (8th)

De Pasquale has so far justified his move to the Shell V-Power Racing Team, scoring three poles and a win in Tailem Bend.

Two engine failures and crashes in Bathurst and Darwin, the latter of which wasn't his fault, have hindered his title bid.

Will Brown

Qualifying vs teammate: 8-6Race vs teammate: 7-7Best qualifying result: 3rd (x1)Best race result: 4th (x1)Points: 741 (10th)

Brown leapfrogged teammate Brodie Kostecki in the standings after Darwin, and is knocking on the door of a maiden podium.

Erebus Motorsport, so far, has been vindicated by its decision to bring in two rookies, with Brown improving all the time after his Bathurst practice crash.

Brodie Kostecki

Qualifying vs teammate: 6-8Race vs teammate: 7-7Best qualifying result: 7th (x1)Best race result: 2nd (x1)Points: 737 (11th)

Unlike the rain, Kostecki's Sandown podium didn't from the heavens; he had genuine pace, and converted to a career-best result.

Qualifying pace is his Achilles heel, and the 23-year-old will be looking to return the top 10 in the standings in Townsville.

David Reynolds

Advertisement

Qualifying vs teammate: 7-7Race vs teammate: 8-6Best qualifying result: 1st (x2)Best race result: 3rd (x1)Points: 644 (15th)

The Kelly Grove Racing recruit was seventh in the standings after Sandown, where he claimed a surprise podium in the last race of the weekend.

However, the Tasmania, Tailem Bend and Darwin events were shockers, with Reynolds dropping below teammate Andre Heimgartner into 15th.

Tim Slade

Best qualifying result: 2nd (x1)Best race result: 7th (x2)Points: 562 (18th)

Slade's season began with pace in Bathurst, before a shocking late-race crash ended his remarkable podium charge.

His maiden season with Blanchard Racing Team hasn't truly his the same level since, although he has found form: Slade has scored three top 10s in his last four starts.

Jake Kostecki

Qualifying vs teammate: 8-6Race vs teammate: 7-7Best qualifying result: 11th (x2)Best race result: 5th (x1)Points: 548 (19th)

The youngest Kostecki began with a career-best 13th in Bathurst, and has been showing steady improvements event on event.

That came to a head last weekend, with the 21-year-old a supreme fifth in the chaotic Race 12 in Darwin.

Zane Goddard

Qualifying vs teammate: 6-8Race vs teammate: 7-7Best qualifying result: 4th (x1)Best race result: 7th (x1)Points: 532 (20th)

Goddard's standout weekend came in Tasmania, where after he qualified fourth, raced to seventh in the weekend finale.

Fabian Coulthard

Qualifying vs teammate: 9-5Race vs teammate: 9-5Best qualifying result: 11th (x1)Best race result: 13th (x2)Points: 416 (21st)

It has been a topsy turvy first season with Team Sydney for Coulthard, who moved across from Shell V-Power Racing Team.

He is yet to qualify or finish in the top 10; the 38-year-old has finished 13th twice (Tasmania and Darwin), and qualified a best of 11th (Tasmania).

Garry Jacobson

Qualifying vs teammate: 5-9Race vs teammate: 5-9Best qualifying result: 18th (x1)Best race result: 14th (x1)Points: 353 (24th)

Jacobson's move to Team Sydney from Matt Stone Racing has yet to pay dividends, with the 2016 Super2 champion so far beaten in qualifying and race head-to-heads by teammate Coulthard.

The Repco Supercars Championship field will return to North Queensland for the NTI Townsville 500 across July 9-11. Tickets are available here.

The event will be broadcast live on Foxtel and will be streamed on Kayo, and will be broadcast live and free on Seven.

Related News

Advertisement