Driver market: how the 2022 Supercars grid is shaping up
The 2022 Repco Supercars Championship grid continues to take shape in the wake of Chaz Mostert’s contract extension with Walkinshaw Andretti United.
Only a third of the drivers on the current grid hold contracts for Supercars' dawning of a new era in line with the new-for-2022 Gen3 regulation changes.
On Tuesday, it was confirmed Mostert will remain with WAU, which he joined last year, until at least the end of 2023.
Mostert signed a multi-year deal beginning in 2022, which will take him through to at least the end of the 2023 season.
WATCH: MOSTERT 'AT HOME' WITH WAU
It also ended rumours of a high-profile switch to rivals Red Bull Ampol Racing, with Jamie Whincup to retire from full-time competition at season’s end.
Mostert’s current WAU teammate Bryce Fullwood was also handed a contract extension late last year, with Jack Smith, Todd Hazelwood and Macauley Jones all locked in with Brad Jones Racing for 2021.
Mostert joins a number of drivers who have already confirmed their 2022 plans.
Shane van Gisbergen is currently tied to Triple Eight until the end of 2022.
WATCH: MOSTERT 'SUPER EXCITED' TO STAY WITH WAU
In February 2020, Nick Percat inked a two-year extension with BJR, just after David Reynolds signed with Kelly Grove Racing.
Prior to last year’s Bathurst 1000, Mark Winterbottom extended with Team 18 for two more years, with teammate Scott Pye currently off-contract.
The 2021 season marks the first full-time campaigns for Erebus duo Will Brown and Brodie Kostecki, the former signing a deal to race full-time with the team back in 2019. The team has affirmed both drivers will return next year.
That leaves Garry Jacobson, who confirmed prior to the season-opener that his agreement with Team Sydney runs to the end of 2022. His teammate Fabian Coulthard has only so far been confirmed for 2021.
WATCH: DRIVERS DISCUSS WHINCUP SEAT
The grid could expand to 26 entries next season, with Supercars launching a market tender for two Racing Entitlement Contracts (RECs) ahead of the 2022 season.
A host of drivers and teams are yet to confirm their 2022 plans; notably, leading Ford squads Shell V-Power Racing Team and Tickford Racing.
Will Davison and Anton De Pasquale were locked in for 2021 late last year, while Tickford’s leading light Cameron Waters signed a multi-year deal in 2019.
Waters’ deal was announced alongside a multi-year renewal by Monster Energy, the driver’s primary sponsor since he graduated full-time to the main game in 2016.
WATCH: NINE SEARING DARWIN MOMENTS
James Courtney inked an extension into 2021 with Tickford last October, with Jack Le Brocq slotting into the Truck Assist entry vacated by Lee Holdsworth.
Matt Stone Racing handed Jake Kostecki and Zane Goddard full-time drives for 2021, but both drivers are yet to have their 2022 plans locked in.
The Repco Supercars Championship field will return to the Northern Territory this weekend for the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown. 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.
2022 Repco Supercars Championship grid (as of June 15, 2021)
Red Bull Ampol RacingShane van Gisbergen (at least 2022)
Walkinshaw Andretti UnitedChaz Mostert (at least 2023)
Brad Jones RacingNick Percat (end of 2022)
Kelly Grove RacingDavid Reynolds (at least 2022)
Team 18Mark Winterbottom (end of 2022)
Erebus MotorsportWill Brown (at least 2022)Brodie Kostecki (at least 2022)
Team SydneyGarry Jacobson (end of 2022)
