JAMIE Whincup says he’s yet to formally re-discuss 2024 with superstar Shane van Gisbergen but is planning to do so imminently.
Van Gisbergen is contracted to Supercars powerhouse Triple Eight for next year but speculation has been rife that he may depart at season’s end to pursue a full-time NASCAR career.
By Sunday night in Townsville, many in the Supercars paddock were tipping this to be SVG’s final Supercars season.
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Pre-event, the Kiwi had reiterated his intentions to still be in Australia next year despite his phone running hot since his win on Cup Series debut in Chicago.
He did however note he would catch up with Whincup regarding the Triple Eight team principal’s public declaration that he won’t stand in the way of any 2024 opportunities that come van Gisbergen’s way.
According to Whincup, that discussion hadn’t happened as of Sunday night, but is high on the agenda.
“Literally Shane got in (from the US) on Wednesday and we have just been full focus on this weekend, so no, we haven’t spoken if Shane wants to change the plan,” Whincup told V8 Sleuth.
“For us, nothing has changed, we’ve got a solid plan in place for 2024 but he may communicate that he wants to change the plan and we’ll run through the process on what that could look like.
“I’m all ears but it’s not a simple thing at the same time so there’s probably a bit to go through.
“We’ll probably try to have a discussion sooner rather than later, for sure.”
If van Gisbergen does decide to head abroad, it would set alight a silly season that already has plenty of intrigue surrounding Tickford Racing, Walkinshaw Andretti United and Team 18, let alone a potential vacancy at the General Motors homologation squad.
Championship contender Broc Feeney is locked in to continue with Triple Eight in 2024.
