Photo: Dick Johnson Racing

Dick Johnson Racing confirm De Pasquale, Davison for 2021

As expected, Dick Johnson Racing has announced that Anton De Pasquale and Will Davison will pilot the two Shell V-Power Racing Team Ford Mustangs for the 2021 Supercars season.

The pairing of youngster De Pasquale with former Bathurst winner Davison was widely expected following the departure of Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard, with De Pasquale moving over from Erebus Motorsport and Davison making his full-time return to the series after the departure of 23Red Racing saw him sidelined for much of the 2020 campaign.

“They are an excellent combination,” managing director Ryan Story said. “They are both fast, they both have runs on the board, and they will do very well for Dick Johnson Racing and the Shell V-Power Racing Team.

“Will is someone who is incredibly experienced and also well-known to the team. He really kick-started his full-time Supercars career here and drove for us from 2006 to 2008. So it’s somewhat of a homecoming, and we are please he’s joining the fold.

“In the case of Anton, he is one of the up and coming, next-generation drivers in the sport, and he’s shown his tremendous talent on the track and his professionalism off it. He’s a driver’s driver.”

Having taken his first career win during the 2020 season, De Pasquale said he was keen to now try and become a championship contender during the 2021 campaign.

“I really enjoyed my time at Erebus, it was like a big family, and I am grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to step up into the main game,” he said. “Now, I’m ready to take the next step in my career. I’m excited at the possibilities of what I’ll be able to achieve at the Shell V-Power Racing Team and with Will as my team-mate.”

Davison meanwhile said he was keen to take the momentum of a second place finish at Bathurst – where he teamed with Cam Waters at Tickford Racing – into his full-time return.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the championship winning team, and after a strong weekend at Bathurst, I feel I’m well-positioned to have my best season yet,” he said.

“I’ve always maintained close relationships with Dick and Ryan over the years. I’m massively motivated to be back where my Supercars career started, and I’m looking forward to working closely with Anton.”