Red Bull Ampol Racing has announced that Richie Stanaway will become three-time Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen’s co-driver for 2023.
Stanaway put on an impressive display at the 2022 Bathurst 1000 event where he qualified fourth and finished the race in eleventh alongside Greg Murphy as a wildcard entry.
Based on that performance and his previous racing experience, Triple Eight Race Engineering decided to give the Kiwi the job after former co-driver Garth Tander made the switch to Penrite Racing for 2023.
Both van Gisbergen and Stanaway will be piloting the #97 Chevrolet Camaro together at endurance races like the Bathurst 1000 in which require a second driver.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the team in 2023. It’s a huge opportunity for me and I’m so grateful to work with such an amazing team,” said Stanaway.
“It’s the best possible outcome for me after doing the wildcard program at Bathurst last year. To drive for, arguably, the best team in the field with the best driver in the category is the best-case scenario as a co-driver – I can’t ask for much more than that.”
Following the announcement, van Gisbergen was quick to share his excitement.
“It’s exciting to team up with Richie this year. It was great to see him come back last year, and he did an awesome job at Bathurst with Murph,” he said.
“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.”
Stanaway will attend all of Red Bull Ampol Racing’s test days as well as a few races throughout the year in preparation for getting behind the wheel.
