Supercars CEO Shane Howard targets F1 support card, for Singapore Grand Prix 2024

Supercars boss Shane Howard reveals he’s in discussions for the sport to nab a spot in the Formula One support card for the Singapore Grand Prix.

Supercars is targeting a spot on the Formula One support card for the Singapore Grand Prix in 2024 as part of the series’ plans to grow its international reach.

As the sport gets set to open a new chapter with the launch of its Gen3 era cars next year, Supercars chief executive Shane Howard revealed there had been meaningful talks with Singapore GP organisers about a place on the undercard for 2023.

But “commercial” factors, specifically the impact of high freight costs, precluded Supercars from racing at the night grand prix next year.

Howard said talks with Singapore organisers would be revisited for 2024 as he confirmed the sport’s ambition to target more Formula One events overseas in the future.

The series already races as a support category at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park.

Supercars unveiled its 12-race 2023 calendar last week without a race outside of Australia after a New Zealand event was omitted.

Supercars could be racing in Singapore in 2024, as it targets a spot on the Formula One support card. Picture: Mark Horsburgh

Howard said Singapore organisers wanted Supercars on their support card.

“Absolutely we would like to be part of that (Singapore) event and they would like to have us there,” Howard said at the Adelaide 500 on Friday.

“(It was) probably more the commercial side of it, the impacts of the freight are significant.

“So, (we’re) just trying to work on that side of it and look at how we can get that freight into a cheaper model.

“Our focus going into next year is really on Gen3 and getting that right and it buys us a bit more time in considering 2024 because we will know where we are with the cars and the racing and it allows us to look at other models to reduce some freight costs.”

Asked if Supercars hoped to eventually race at multiple F1 events, Howard said there was a desire to target more, but Singapore was the best starting place.

“We would like to run in some other Formula One events, yes,” Howard said.

“Singapore is very good because of the time zone, it’s very good for us and the shorter distance helps.

“(China) is not a consideration for us at the moment, but nothing is off the cards. Obviously we would work with Formula One and the relevant promoters.

“Having 2023 to be able to develop those opportunities will be very helpful for us.”

Commercial issues prevented Supercars from racing in Singapore in 2023, but Singapore organisers want to see the sport on the support card. Picture: AFP.

Outside of a New Zealand event, Supercars last took a championship race overseas in 2013 to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.

Before that, Supercars also raced at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi from 2010-2012.

Since stepping into the role last year, Supercars chairman Barclay Nettlefold has been open about the series’ ambitions to expand overseas and add to its F1 support roles.

The Singapore Grand Prix is on September 17 on the 24-race 2023 Formula One calendar, which is the same weekend the Sandown 500 has been scheduled in Supercars next year.

Howard said it was still to be decided if a potential Singapore race would be part of, or an addition to, the series’ current 12-race calendar.

SUPERCARS BOSS WANTS CO-DRIVERS BENCHED IN BATHURST

Supercars chief executive Shane Howard wants co-drivers benched from starting the Bathurst 1000 in favour of the main drivers from next year.

The issue of co-drivers starting the Great Race came into sharp focus after carnage in the opening laps of this year’s event at Mount Panorama.

The endurance classic was marred by a series of early crashes involving co-drivers in October.

There were 19 co-drivers who started this year’s race.

Howard’s comments came after Supercars reacted to the Bathurst carnage by reviving the Sandown 500 endurance event, last held in 2019, in the lead-up to the Mount Panorama race for next year.

Supercars boss Shane Howard wants co-drivers benched from starting the Bathurst 1000 in 2023. Picture: Getty Images.

While Howard acknowledged the role of strategy in teams opting to start the race with co-drivers behind the wheel, he said his preference would be for the primary drivers to start.

Howard said the issue had been discussed at the Supercars Commission, but there had been no ruling as yet for next year’s race.

“It’s always been a decision of the teams who they start in the car. If you asked me my preference, I would like to see the primary drivers start the race,” Howard said.

“I think that’s really what the fans would like to see.

“The teams do it for strategy and that race, as we know as long as you are on the lead lap with like 20-odd laps to go, you are in there with a shot.

“The strategy plays out in that so sometimes the strategy can make the race, so there are pros and cons for it.

“But my personal point of view would be I would prefer to see our primary drivers start the endurance races.

“It’s been discussed (at Supercars Commission) that it could be considered but that would then have to go through a process with the Commission and the board …. I would like it to be considered.”

The issue of co-drivers starting the Great Race came into sharp focus after carnage in the opening laps of 2022. Picture: Getty Images.

The lack of race preparation for the co-drivers was also highlighted as an area of concern after the Bathurst carnage, having only one official practice session at Sandown ahead of Bathurst this year.

Speaking at Sandown, Triple Eight co-driver and now five-time Bathurst 1000 winner Garth Tander had said it was “incredibly unfair” for the less experienced co-drivers not to have a lead-in endurance event.

Howard said the return of the Sandown endurance event would help prepare the co-drivers for the biggest event of the year.

“Going back to Sandown as an enduro is a very good reason,” Howard said.

“Not only for the show and it being the precursor to Bathurst, (but) getting everybody that time in the car is a really good thing.”