No expectation on Pye
DJR Team Penske managing director Ryan Story says there is no expectation on young gun Scott Pye, as he steps in for Marcos Ambrose in Tasmania.
Pye drove with the team full-time last year, but missed out on a seat for the season when the team downsized to one car for 2015.
Considered an up and coming talent, Pye has been retained by DJR Team Penske as a Pirtek Enduro Cup co-driver for the season - but after the major announcement that Ambrose was taking a step back, Pye finds himself in the driver's seat sooner than expected.
Story is adamant Pye will do a good job for the team, but is not putting any pressure on the 25-year old, as the team looks forward to the Tyrepower Tasmania SuperSprint, only a week away.
"He hasn't been in the car since Homebush, so we just need to make sure he gets plenty of track time on Friday and we'll take each session there as it comes," Story told v8supercars.com.au.
"But he'll do a very good job for us, he's a professional and certainly deserving of an opportunity. The circumstances in which this has come about are not ideal for anyone, but he'll embrace with open arms and do a great job for us."
Story spoke highly of Pye and the way he has handled being shuffled out of a full-time seat, saying he has matured immensely since meeting with DJR 18 months ago.
"He absolutely works well with the team, he had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Tim Cindric and Roger Penske over the Adelaide weekend ... the way he's still integrated into the team is because we want him to be here, and it's also a credit to him the way he's embraced that.
"We're delighted for him to have the opportunity and I know he'll do a good job for us. And he's doing it in an environment [where] there's no expectation."
Earlier today, Pye made his first comment since the announcement, on social media.
"I am very excited to have the opportunity to compete for DJR Team Penske in #17 next weekend at Symmons Plains," he wrote.
"Thank you to all the DJR Team Penske crew and Marcos for putting their faith in me.
"I know I will learn so much from Marcos and having him in the pits will be a great thing for the whole team.
"His decision to step down shows what a gutsy and admirable person he is.
"It's been tough watching for four months, I can't describe how much I'm looking forward to putting the helmet back on and climbing aboard the Wurth Falcon FG X!"
The team is looking to get through next week's race meeting and assess everything in April, before the May 1 to 3 Perth SuperSprint.
"It's too early to speculate," Story said when asked of Ambrose's possible return.
"Reality is we need to get through Tasmania, we'll take the time after Tasmania before Perth to have another look at it, understand where we are and whether that means we get a program up in that time or wait... it's really dependent on how we progress... but we'll keep moving forward knowing Tasmania is around the corner."
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