Payne backs outgoing Stanaway to fire
Matt Payne backs Richie Stanaway to fire
Stanaway will depart Penrite Racing at the end of the season
Bathurst winner 13th in the championship
Matt Payne is backing outgoing teammate Richie Stanaway to deliver in the final five rounds of the season, after news of the Bathurst winner’s impending exit.
Penrite Racing confirmed last week that Stanaway will depart the team at the end of the season.
Stanaway opened 2024 with fourth at the Thrifty Bathurst 500, but has struggled for consistency since, and lies 13th in the championship.
Conversely, Payne has scored the second most points of any driver at the last two rounds, winning in Townsville and moving to fifth overall.
Through seven rounds, Payne leads the race head-to-head 10-5, and the qualifying head-to-head 15-1.
"You hope for these things [to go well] and then sometimes the chemistry just doesn't work or it's something else, I'm not sure,” Payne said on the Drivers Only podcast.
“But I'm sure he's going to push hard for the rest of the year and do the best he can.
"I think I will be friends with him for a very long time, even after this year - he's a top bloke and I enjoy hanging out with him."
Off-contract Shell V-Power Racing Team driver Anton De Pasquale and rising star Kai Allen have been linked to the drive, with Payne signing an extension late last year.
Stanaway, meanwhile, recently told media that he is unsure what his 2025 plans look like.
Regardless, Payne feels he has benefited working alongside the highly-experienced Stanaway, noting his international achievements as proof to his skills.
"I've really enjoyed working with Richie, it has been really fun," Payne said.
"I didn't really know him at all before this year. Obviously he has done amazing things overseas, like everyone knows how tough it is over there, so I have really enjoyed working with him.
"We're really good friends now and it's sad to see him go, but unfortunately it just sometimes doesn't work out."
Catch the full Drivers Only episode on Supercars.com or the official YouTube channel from 5:00pm AEST on Friday.
The 2024 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint on August 16-18. Tickets for the event are on sale now.
Live coverage can be found on Foxtel, with live streaming available on Kayo. Highlights will be shown on the Seven Network and 7plus. International viewers can follow all the action on Superview.
