Mark Winterbottom will break up with Group 18 on the finish of the Supercars season, and his seat can be stuffed by Anton de Pasquale.
Winterbottom, the 2015 Supercars champion, confirmed on social media that the Chevrolet group, owned by businessman Charlie Schwerkolt, has signed one other driver for subsequent season.
“To my supporters, the final 24 hours have been a whirlwind, as I used to be advised that Group 18 signed a unique driver for 2025,” Winterbottom wrote.
“I don’t actually know what the longer term holds, I’m nonetheless digesting the information, however I do know I can maintain my head excessive as knowledgeable sportsman.
“I’ve given 110% and cherished working with the group crew and all of the sponsors, you’re nice individuals. I actually worth the assist from my household, mates, sponsors and supporters, at a time once I want it most.”
Not lengthy later, de Pasquale confirmed that he was becoming a member of the group and would race a Chevrolet for the primary time, after 4 seasons in Dick Johnson Racing’s Fords.
“It’s a very thrilling subsequent step for me in my profession and I’m wanting ahead to progressing with Charlie, Adrian [Burgess, team manager] and the group and being part of what they’re constructing for the longer term,” the 28-year-old mentioned in an announcement.
Mark Winterbottom, Group 18 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Picture by: Edge Photographics
“Trying ahead to chasing that widespread purpose and getting caught into it subsequent yr!”
The motive force prone to substitute ‘ADP’ is Brodie Kostecki. The 2023 Supercars Champion missed the opening rounds of this season with Erebus Motorsport, however appears to be like to be the favorite to affix veteran Will Davison in DJR’s Ford Mustangs subsequent season.
In flip, a vacant Erebus seat appears to be like prone to be stuffed by Cooper Murray, the 23-year-old Melbourne Super2 driver who will share Triple Eight’s wildcard entry with Craig Lowndes at Sandown and Bathurst.
Winterbottom, 43, joined Group 18 in 2019, after racing Fords for all of his V8 Supercars profession to that time. He scored one race win with the group, at Hidden Valley final season. He’ll race for the group within the endurance races with Michael Caruso as his co-driver.
De Pasquale, who has gained eight of his 9 profession Supercar victories with DJR, can be chasing the endurance wins with veteran Tony D’Alberto alongside.
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