Van Gisbergen: Stanaway 'huge asset' for Triple Eight
Shane van Gisbergen believes new co-driver Richie Stanaway is a "huge asset" for Red Bull Ampol Racing.
Stanaway has been confirmed as van Gisbergen’s co-driver for Sandown and Bathurst.
The 31-year-old replaces Garth Tander, who has shifted to Penrite Racing.
Van Gisbergen and Tander were the form combination since the latter joined Triple Eight in 2019.
Tander joined the team after he was axed by Garry Rogers Motorsport, and twice won Bathurst with van Gisbergen.
Stanaway joins Triple Eight in the wake of his stunning wildcard performance last year.
He raced to 11th with Greg Murphy aboard a Boost Mobile-backed Commodore after qualifying fifth.
Stanaway impressed in his 2022 cameo
It left the Supercars community wide-eyed, none more than countryman van Gisbergen.
Stanaway will be a fly on the wall at events and tests with Triple Eight in 2023 as he readies for the enduros.
For the first time since 2019, there will be multiple endurance races.
For the first time since 2018, Bathurst will have a curtain-raiser at Sandown, where Stanaway won in 2017.
The Penrite Oil Sandown 500 will be held on September 17, with the Repco Bathurst 1000 on October 8.
"It’s exciting to team up with Richie this year," van Gisbergen said.
"It was great to see him come back last year, and he did an awesome job at Bathurst with Murph.
"This year’s enduro season, especially given the Sandown 500 is back, should give him a chance to get acquainted with the team, a feel for the car and an understanding of how we all work – it’s going to be cool.
"He’s been in some good equipment before as a co-driver and winning Sandown back in 2017.
"I think with Triple Eight, he has every opportunity to help us get a good result, and I think he’ll be a huge asset for us.
"Richie will attend all of our test days and ride days, and probably a few races throughout the year as well, just to learn how we approach things and become a part of the team as early as possible.
"So when it comes time to drive he’ll be ready to go."
Van Gisbergen will make his 17th Bathurst start in 2023; in 16 previous starts, he has raced with two Kiwis — John McIntyre (2007, 2010-11) and Earl Bamber (2018).
Stanaway is as credentialed as any, but for many, has yet to reach his full potential.
'He’ll be an exciting addition to the team'
That proved a big selling point for Red Bull Ampol Racing Team Principal Jamie Whincup, who said he would look locally and aboard to replace Tander.
A racer in his own right, Whincup is determined to give Stanaway his best chance yet at winning the Great Race.
"The team and I are delighted to have Richie teaming up with SVG for this year’s Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000," Whincup said.
"Triple Eight’s ethos is about providing the necessary resources to support talented drivers in reaching their full potential, which I think we’re yet to see with Richie.
"His performance at last year’s Bathurst 1000 is a testament to what he can achieve in this sport.
"He’ll be an exciting addition to the team, and I can’t wait to see what this Kiwi combo can achieve come enduro season."
The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will commence in Newcastle on March 10-12.
Tickets are on sale on Supercars.com and Ticketek.com.
