David Russell returns with PremiAir Racing for 2026 enduros
Russell to partner Jayden Ojeda, who is fighting to claim Finals spot
Russell has three Bathurst podiums, two 500 podiums in five year span
David Russell has three Bathurst podiums and two 500 podiums in a five year span, and yet, there's a sense that he doesn't get the praise he deserves.
Russell doesn't mind.
The veteran heads to Tailem Bend alongside rookie Jayden Ojeda with PremiAir Racing, having carved out one of the best co-driver CVs in recent years.
While the plaudits haven't followed Russell around, his efforts — two Bathurst podiums and a Sandown runner-up with Brodie Kostecki, before Sandown and Bathurst podiums with James Golding — are unquestionable.
“Look, I don't tend to get involved or take it personally if I don't get mentioned,” Russell told Supercars.com.
"I'm not one to put myself out there, week in, week out in the media for different things. But, yeah, I'd like to think my record at the endurance races is a pretty good one for a co-driver.
"I haven't even looked into the stats, how that stacks up for me. Sure, it's always nice to get some accolades here and there, but I just want to focus on doing the best job I can.”
The Casino-born veteran has been staying sharp, contesting the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia season for EMA Motorsport, while also contesting the Bathurst 12 Hour and Bathurst 6 Hour.
He will be on double duty with Carrera Cup at The Bend, and while he'll be busy, Russell prefers driving over the alternative.
“Doing Carrera Cup has kept me race fit, but the cars aren't overly relevant versus the Supercar,” Russell said.
"With Carrera Cup having ABS this year, the braking technique is obviously very different now to what it is in a Supercar. There’s not a lot of similarities with the cars to drive, that’s a challenge going from car to car, but it's not one that I haven't done before successfully in the past.
“I think it is important to be race fit. Given the schedule for the weekend, I will have just completed a 45-minute race in a Carrera Cup car, and then I get a short time to have a drink and put my other race suit on, and then start the Supercar race.
“It's a bit more taxing, but I think the good part is you're out there and competing rather than sitting around in the truck or in the garage waiting for it all.”
Russell, who will make his 17th Bathurst start next month, will play a key role in helping Ojeda pull off an unlikely Finals qualifying miracle.
Having done the business for Kostecki and Golding, Russell wants to keep it going for his fellow New South Welshman.
"I think I've got a good opportunity with Jayden. I think he's doing a really good job,” Russell said.
“He's definitely a talent, and in his first year he's shown that. I just want to support him and do the best job I can for the team as well.
“Look, the pressure's there regardless. It wasn't that long ago where I was supporting Brodie for what was his championship win, as it turned out. So those pressure moments are there all the time.
“It doesn't matter what team you're with or what driver. The plan is, I want to be able to play a pivotal role to try and help Jayden to get him into the Finals.
"We want to try and go and grab some points off the other drivers and see if we can get him in there. It’d be pretty satisfying if we can make it happen."
Russell will step into the #31 PremiAir Camaro from Friday.
