After what can only be described as a stellar year, kiwi Shane van Gisbergen has wrapped up the 2021 championship today, finishing more than 300 points ahead of teammate and seven-time champion Jamie Whincup.
Last night Shane claimed a nail-biting victory in the closing laps, which has it all, including an early safety car, rain in the closing moments and the return of the super-soft tyre.
Championship elect Shane van Gisbergen now has an insurmountable lead over his teammate after today’s scheduled race was red-flagged, and this means the points on offer at this year’s grand finale, the Bathurst 1000, won’t be enough for Whincup to challenge Van Gisbergen and claim an eighth championship.
It has been a masterclass performance for the number 97, which all started with Shane’s fairytale victory at Sandown with a broken collarbone and multiple fractured ribs and now he will be presented with the championship trophy at Mount Panorama.
Leaving Brodie Kostecki to say, “I went ok today, but the fact remains the one-armed man beat me.
This really takes the pressure off heading to Mount Panorama for Shane and his co-driver Garth Tander with just one focus, defending their title as Bathurst Champions.
