Grove Racing have confirmed that Richie Stanaway and the team will part ways for the 2025 Supercars season, with the Ford team opting not to take up the Kiwi’s second year option.
With Stanaway only ever having signed a one year deal, there was always the chance that a one year deal would be the case as the Grove team assessed its future options.
The statement, which was released today by the team, will likely set in motion an early silly season with plenty of speculation as to who is going where for 2025.
The short statement read:
“Grove Racing can confirm that Richie Stanaway’s contract will not be renewed for season 2025,” read a statement from the team.
“Richie will continue as our main game driver for the remainder of the 2024 season, and we will endeavour to support Richie to perform at the level that we know he is capable of.
“The team’s current priority is to finish the 2024 season as strong as possible, and maximise our position in the teams’ championship.
“The driver of car #26 for season 2025 will be announced in due course.”
While no announcement has been made from Penrite regarding Stanaway’s replacement, the speculation is that Anton De Pasquale – who drove with Stephen and Brenton Grove at the 2023 Bathurst 12 Hour race – will likely move across from fellow Mustang camp, DJR, freeing up a seat there for Brodie Kostecki.
Kostecki has been the centre of plenty of speculation this year, and it is seen as unlikely he will continue with Erebus. We believe that DJR is leading the way for the 2023 Champion’s signature, with PremiAir – who was first approached by Kostecki’s management last October – snapping at its heels.
That leaves two spots open for next year, with plenty of Super2 drivers jockeying for their main game opportunity. The most likely to get a job is reigning champion and current Super2 series leader Kai Allen, while the likes of Cooper Murray, Cameron McLeod and Jarrod Hughes are on the radar for Erebus and PremiAir.
Tim Slade (#23 PremiAir) and Stanaway are likely to be endurance co-drivers in the expanded three race series next year with Sandown, The Bend and Bathurst all two-driver races.
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“The team’s current priority is to finish the 2024 season as strong as possible, and maximise our position in the teams’ championship.
