De Pasquale taking step up with new team
GOLD COAST: Supercars driver Anton De Pasquale knows he will be stepping into an intense spotlight when this year’s championship starts at Bathurst this weekend.
The 25yearold has slipped into the seat vacated by Scott McLaughlin at Dick Johnson Racing, after the threetime Supercars champion's move to America's IndyCar series.
After establishing his potential during three full seasons with Erebus Motorsport, the change of team is a careerdefining one for De Pasquale.
Team owner and Supercars great Johnson already feels De Pasquale is at a similar point in his driving career as McLaughlin was when he moved to DJR in 2017.
It’s a comparison De Pasquale is happy to accept.
‘‘Obviously coming from a legend like Dick, about a legend like Scotty now in the sport, it’s a cool thing,’’ De Pasquale said.
‘‘If I go on to do half as good as what those blokes have done then I’ve had a good time.’’
De Pasquale heads into his first race with DJR after finishing eighth in the 2020 championship, a season which included his first race win.
He is well aware that expectations will be much higher at DJR, however, as the team attempts to prove it can stay at the top without McLaughlin or the influence of American billionaire Roger Penske.
‘‘I got the opportunity to join the most successful team in the recent past with the fastest cars and the fastest driver and all that stuff,’’ De Pasquale said.
‘‘You’re replacing that which is hard and it’s obviously the highest pressure seat you can probably get, but at the same time that’s sort of what sport’s about and it’s an opportunity I wanted and I'm thankful for.
‘‘I take it with two hands and try and run with it.’’
The 2021 championship starts with the Bathurst 500 at the Mount Panorama circuit, featuring two 250km races, one on Saturday and the other on Sunday.