How an 'awesome' Stanaway could be drawback for SVG

Shane van Gisbergen says a strong enduro performance by Richie Stanaway could pave the way to a full-time 2024 seat, which would leave the former on the lookout for a new co-driver.

Stanaway will join van Gisbergen in the #97 Red Bull Ampol Camaro for the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 and Repco Bathurst 1000.

For the first time since 2019, van Gisbergen has a new co-driver, having raced with Garth Tander for four seasons.

The van Gisbergen/Tander partnership delivered Bathurst wins in 2020 and 2022, and a Gold Coast victory in 2019.

Tander departed for Penrite Racing in a high-profile Ford switch, with Red Bull Ampol Racing quickly securing Stanaway’s services.

Stanaway arrives at Triple Eight in the afterglow of a stunning comeback in 2022, which saw the Kiwi reach the Bathurst Shootout.

The new van Gisbergen/Stanaway partnership is an early favourite for enduro success, and the latter has already tested the #97 Chevrolet twice.

However, if Stanaway “goes awesome”, van Gisbergen expects his countryman to return to the full-time fold in 2024.

“It would’ve been good to keep Garth, but he made a change which was a real shame, but good for him,” van Gisbergen said on the latest ’The Quarterly Report’ video instalment.

'He's good enough to have a full-time drive'

“With Richie, it’s good and bad, because if he does a good job and goes awesome, he’s only going to be there one year.

“It’s a lot of effort to put into someone if they’re going to be leaving.

“He's good enough to have a full-time drive, and he should have one if he wants one.

“We’re going to do all this prep and show him everything, show him how it all works, because we’ve got two big races.

“It’s a massive influence on the championship. He’ll do all this prep and hopefully get a full-time drive next year.”

Stanaway last raced in a full-time capacity in 2019, when he left Garry Rogers Motorsport and retired from motorsport.

The Bathurst wildcard alongside Greg Murphy breathed new life into the career of Stanaway, who is still only 31 years old.

Stanaway has twice tested with Triple Eight, at Queensland Raceway and Sydney Motorsport Park.

He also made a LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour cameo alongside team boss Jamie Whincup, and scored a class podium.

Van Gisbergen and Tander won Bathurst twice together

The Gen3 Camaro is a new beast for the former open-wheel star, and van Gisbergen explained there’s still work to be done to get Stanaway up to speed.

Notably, van Gisbergen detailed how Stanaway’s left-foot brake style — where he blips the throttle with his right foot — has proven a challenge with the new cars.

Conversely, Stanaway — who is 12cm shorter than van Gisbergen — has found comfort in the car, given the adjustable pedal box and new seats.

Van Gisbergen is most excited that Stanaway is in "awesome frame of mind” ahead of the biggest races of the year.

“Stoked to give a friend an opportunity. He’s good enough to be here, and I’m stoked to have him,” van Gisbergen said.

“Now with these new cars with the pedal box moving, and the seat being a bit better for that position, you can have someone shorter drive with you.

“The biggest thing is you see him smiling… when you’re with him and talking to him, he’s in an awesome frame of mind.

“He had it pretty rough a couple of years ago, and he’s just stoked to be racing again.”

The Penrite Oil Sandown 500 will be held on September 15-17, and the Repco Bathurst 1000 on October 5-8.

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint on April 28-30.