Shane van Gisbergen describes Supercars as ‘worse than ever’

One of Supercars’ most successful drivers has ripped in, calling out the behind-the-scenes politics while hinting at a departure.

Shane van Gisbergen has ripped into the Supercars Championship, calling it “worse than ever for all the background stuff”, raising doubts about his long-term future in the category he won three titles in.

The Kiwi revealed he had only committed to Red Bull Ampol until the end of 2024, which contrasted with the tone of the announcement of his “multi-year” extension by Triple Eight Race Engineering last week.

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It is understood van Gisbergen has options to extend beyond 2024, but that he is keen to look at other categories and the contract has get-out clauses should he land a drive.

He has also indicated that he is keen to pursue more rally and Speedway racing, as well as a possible future in the United States.

Van Gisbergen is a three-time champion of the Supercars Championship. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Van Gisbergen expressed his discontent with the behind-the-scenes politics of the series, after he infamously refused to answer questions in the press conference following the opening round of the 2023 Championship in Newcastle.

“It’s weird, because the series is worse than ever for all the background stuff,” the 33-year-old said.

“It’s really bad. It’s weird in the series, all the stuff that goes on, but especially not going to New Zealand, which is, I guess a personal gripe.

“But, going overseas to, like, Singapore and the Middle East, what’s the point?

“We have new cars, which are awesome; we should be going to places like Winton to take it to the people and make them fall in love with the sport again.

“We’ve got this awesome new product; why are we going overseas with it?

“Our sport here is awesome – the events we do here and [in] New Zealand – I don’t understand why we go overseas.

“We’ve got these awesome new cars that we can make better and make them cool here.”

Van Gisbergen has a distinguished career outside Supercars, driving a McLaren 650S GT3 (pictured) in the Bathurst 12 Hour in 2016. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Van Gisbergen has consistently criticised the new Gen3 cars that were introduced this season, which marked the end of Holden’s involvement in the sport as a brand after 54 years in Australian touring car racing.

He clarified after the Newcastle incident why he refused to answer questions in a lengthy Instagram post after the fact.

“It’s not a secret I haven’t been a fan of the way the Gen3 car feels and drives, and behind closed doors I’ve been pretty critical of things and tried to make it better, firstly with feedback to the category in the prototype testing and now with my team trying to make the race spec car to my liking,” he wrote.

“The category seems to think our complaints and gripes with the car will ‘make better racing’ if we are struggling and we are told to be positive and show the sport in a good light, which of course I understand the last part.

“I try to be as neutral as I can with my critiques of the car, I act with the intention of representing the drivers trying to make the car better for everyone.”

The two-time Bathurst winner has a distinguished career in GT racing, winning the 2016 Bathurst 12 Hour, and competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022, as well as racing in the World Rally Championship.

Originally published as Shane van Gisbergen describes Supercars as ‘worse than ever’