Van Gisbergen breaks silence on team switch

Shane van Gisbergen has spoken about his controversial switch from Stone Brothers Racing (SBR) to Tekno Autosports for the first time with the Daily Telegraph.
“I didn’t want to stay somewhere where I wasn’t happy. I was hating life and had to get out,” said van Gisbergen to the Daily Telegraph.

Part of the reason for van Gisbergen to leave was the planned switch for SBR to Mercedes and Erebus Motorsport as well as personal clashes within the team.
“There were a couple of clashes. It wasn’t a happy atmosphere and it was going to get more political with the takeover. Just the big glitzy stuff with Mercedes. I want a fast race car. I want to race and have fun. I wasn’t allowed to do NZ Super Tourers,” said van Gisbergen.

While him leaving the team was announced as a retirement, van Gisbergen says that those words were never uttered by him.
“Not by me. Never from my mouth. No one has heard my side and it has all come from other people,” said van Gisbergen.

The Holden driver even got a bonnet signed by all drivers of the field as a retirement gift.
“I know there have been a lot of comments by the drivers. I feel quite bad because they signed it, but at that point I was going home. Things have changed now,” said van Gisbergen.

The switch to Tekno Autosports was not about money according to van Gisbergen, but results and he is aiming for the title this year.
“No, I want results. That is what I am driven by. I love racing and I love the atmosphere. I want a good car, a good time and I want to do my best. So far that is all happening here at Tekno. I want to win championships. I think I can do that here. I want to win races and go for it. We have a great car run by good people. That is the reason I came back,” said van Gisbergen.