Stanaway embracing SVG co-driver pressure
Richie Stanaway is well aware of his focus to deliver as Shane van Gisbergen’s co-driver as Triple Eight chases both titles.
Stanaway tested van Gisbergen’s #97 Red Bull Ampol Camaro at Queensland Raceway on Thursday.
The Kiwi duo will race together at Sandown and Bathurst, both races paying 300 points for the winner.
Given van Gisbergen and Triple Eight are entrenched in both title fights, Stanaway’s performance may dictate where the big trophies end up.
Heading to Round 5 in Darwin, van Gisbergen is 172 points from the drivers’ lead, with Triple Eight 276 points down in the teams’ fight.
Stanaway, who is armed with his best chance yet to win the Great Race, is ensuring he has all the tools to deliver under pressure.
“I love working with Shane — he’s a winner,” Stanaway told Supercars.com.
“As the old saying goes, the behaviour of people you hang out with rubs off on you.
“Hanging around someone like him, who knows how to win, it's giving me good habits to learn from.
“The main role of a co-driver is to be a bit more risk averse than the main guys.
"The target is to bring the car towards the end of the race nice and straight, and in a good position.
“That’s my focus — doing the supporting role, and ticking the boxes you need to as a co-driver."
'I love working with Shane — he’s a winner'
There's the added confidence for Stanaway that van Gisbergen has won two of the last three Bathurst 1000s.
Van Gisbergen, however, has previously emphasised Stanaway’s own talent, and reiterated it again on Thursday: “He’s a driver — he’s good enough to be a full-time guy.
“Hopefully he does a good job this year, he’s been awesome to have part of the team.”
In an ominous warning for their rivals, Stanaway said he is now comfortable in the car.
The 31-year-old now has a seat insert, and is continuing to improve drivability given he is a left-foot braker.
“It’s great to get more laps in the car, the last time I drove it was at the test in February,” he said.
'I can get exactly how I want to sit in the car'
“The main thing for me [today] was getting comfortable in the car with a proper seat insert.
“To be fitting into the car now is a good feeling, to check that off the list.
“Driving with Shane, I was a bit anxious I'd be compromised in my position.
“Luckily with the sliding pedal box in the new car, I can get exactly how I want to sit in the car.
“Another key thing is working on the blip in the throttle response, with me trying to left-foot brake.”
Stanaway will make his Triple Eight Supercars debut at the September 15-17 Penrite Oil Sandown 500.
The Repco Bathurst 1000 will be held on October 5-8. Tickets for both events are on sale now.
