In a significant development within the Supercars Championship, Shane ‘SVG’ van Gisbergen has officially signed a multi-year contract extension with Red Bull Ampol Racing. As the driver of the #97 Chevrolet Camaro, van Gisbergen has been an integral part of the team since he joined Triple Eight Race Engineering in 2016.
Reflecting on his decision to extend his contract, van Gisbergen stated, "Extending with Red Bull Ampol Racing was a no-brainer for me. It’s certainly exciting to continue with the best team in pit lane and I’m stoked to be able to stay."
Since joining the team, the Kiwi driver has made substantial contributions, winning his first Drivers’ Championship the same year he arrived. The 2023 season marks a continuation of his illustrious career, having achieved a staggering 77 wins from 489 races alongside 46 pole positions. Recently, he hit a notable milestone, securing his 170th career podium at the Melbourne 400, which places him second in the records of the Australian Touring Car Championship/Supercars Championship, behind Jamie Whincup, who has 237.
"I’ve never been happier at this team," shared van Gisbergen. He reminisced about a pivotal moment this season: "The coolest moment for me, and one that really solidified my decision, was the team repairing my car after I had that shunt at the Australian Grand Prix. Everyone stuck in to help each other to get #97 fixed. Even though we missed the next practice session, to come out and put the car on pole in qualifying was amazing. Seeing how much that meant to everyone was a special moment, and to then win that race was unreal."
Having achieved success in multiple formats of racing, including being a winner of the Bathurst 12 Hour and New Zealand Grand Prix, van Gisbergen expressed his enthusiasm for the future. "The best thing about our sport is that it’s always evolving. All these challenges we’ve had with the new cars will hopefully work themselves out as we keep updating the cars over the next few events. There’s always something to learn and always things to keep getting better at. It’s those challenges that keep it fresh," he explained.
On the team’s end, Jamie Whincup, Team Principal of Triple Eight, conveyed his excitement regarding van Gisbergen's decision. "It’s always great news when you have the best driver in the country deciding to put his faith in the team at Triple Eight Race Engineering to give him a fast, reliable race car to showcase his skills. It’s a huge honour that Shane has chosen us to continue that relationship."
Whincup reinforced the team's commitment to supporting van Gisbergen’s pursuits on the track, stating, "We will of course continue to invest in him, his support crew, engineering and mechanics, to give him the best equipment to remain competitive in the sport."
The partnership is mutually beneficial; as Whincup notes, "We as a team need the best drivers in the country to showcase our skills. At the end of the day, we’re an engineering company and we pride ourselves on building the best race cars and componentry and representing ourselves in the highest regard. One of those factors is that we need someone to get behind the wheel and showcase that work we do and represent the brand and our partners in the highest possible light, and we believe Shane is the best person for that."
With the contract extension solidifying their alliance, both van Gisbergen and Red Bull Ampol Racing look forward to continuing their successful journey in the Supercars Championship. The upcoming season promises further developments as they strive for additional victories and milestones, reinforcing their position as a leading force in Australian motorsport.
