Anton De Pasquale to leave Erebus

Anton De Pasquale’s expected move to Dick Johnson Racing has moved a step closer after Erebus Motorsport announced that the 25-year-old will not continue with the team for the 2021 Supercars season.

De Pasquale joined the Holden team as a rookie in 2018 following two seasons in Super2 with Paul Morris Motorsport, and took his maiden win in the series earlier this season in Darwin en-route to eighth in the championship standings.

Will Brown, who partnered De Pasquale in two of Bathurst outings with Erebus during the past three seasons, will now step into a full-time Supercars seat as his replacement for 2021.

“It’s really satisfying to look back and see what Anton was able to achieve with us,” team owner Betty Klimenko said. “We gave him his first drive, before anyone had given him the chance to get in the main game, even as a co-driver.

“He came to our team and we all got behind him, and I am extremely proud of what we have been able to achieve together. Like with many of our past drivers, I will be there cheering when he gets his first podium with his new team and I wish him every success in the future.”

De Pasquale is now widely expected to form part of DJR’s new-look 2021 line-up after the departure of both Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard – as well as Team Penske – in recent weeks.

“I really want to thank the entire team for everything over the last three seasons, particularly Betty and Barry,” he said. “They gave me my shot in Supercars and I can’t thank them enough for taking a risk on me.

“As a team we were able to achieve a lot, I picked up my first win, plenty of podiums and we ticked a lot of boxes which was really cool. I’ve learnt a lot in a rapid period of time, and that is due to the team I had around me.

“I was very fortunate to be picked up as a rookie by one of the top competitive teams in the category, and without that I wouldn’t be where I am today or have achieved what I have.”