WHILE the new year will bring change in the Shell V-Power Racing Team’s ownership structure, there will be stability on the driver front.
The Ford squad has this morning confirmed Anton De Pasquale and Will Davison will stay on for a third season as teammates, into the Gen3 phase of the Repco Supercars Championship.
It comes less than 48 hours after news broke that the Ralph family, via the Melbourne Aces baseball club, would begin a new era as majority shareholders of Dick Johnson Racing from January 2023.
De Pasquale’s driving future never was in any sort of doubt but for a time Davison appeared to be battling Erebus Motorsport’s Will Brown to secure a retention.
However, once Brown was announced on a new two-year deal at Erebus last month, any doubt over Davison’s place in the #17 Mustang all but evaporated.
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The two-time Bathurst 1000 winner in fact has turned in an impressive campaign to date, collecting six pole positions to De Pasquale’s four. Each has tasted victory on one occasion this year.
“We are delighted to announce that Will and Anton will continue driving with the Shell V-Power Racing Team in 2023,” said Dick Johnson Racing co-owner and executive chairman Ryan Story.
“Both drivers have been invaluable additions to our team, and they have been the perfect fit with not only all our staff, but also with our partners, and are loved by all our loyal and passionate supporters.
“Their on-track results have proved that, and they are a fantastic pairing for our team.”
De Pasquale is currently the team’s highest-ranked driver in the championship, holding third behind Shane van Gisbergen and Cameron Waters.
“The family culture that Dick and Ryan have created at the team is like no other and I am excited to remain with the Shell V-Power Racing Team,” said the #11 steerer.
“It is a great team to work with and for and to have continuity and stability with the team going into next year is excellent, and to have a great teammate in Will.
“We both want to get more wins and continue to be up the front for the team, our partners, and the fans.”
Next year will mark Davison’s sixth as a DJR full-timer, having previously raced for the Stapylton squad in seasons 2006-08.
“I’m very excited to continue driving for the Shell V-Power Racing Team,” said the Gold Coaster, who will celebrate his 40th birthday later this month.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to race in the iconic Shell V-Power colours, the legendary No. 17 and for such an iconic race team in DJR.
“I can’t wait to build on the excellent results we’ve had to date and continue fighting for race wins. I love working with the entire race team, they’re a great group of people and feel like family.”
DJR is the fifth Supercars team to formally confirm an unchanged line-up for 2023, following Triple Eight Race Engineering, Walkinshaw Andretti United, Erebus Motorsport, and Matt Stone Racing.
Brad Jones Racing has signalled its intentions to follow suit, a route which is not out of the question for Team 18 and Tickford Racing also.
