Tony D’Alberto Calls It Quits On Supercars...
Tony D’Alberto has called time on his Supercars co-driving career, bringing an end to a 22-year association with the Bathurst 1000 and 11 seasons with the Shell V-Power Racing Team. The 40-year-old Victorian made the decision following this year’s Bathurst 1000, informing Dick Johnson Racing management that he would not seek a contract extension for 2027.
D’Alberto cited increasing business commitments with family-owned Centaur Products and the growing demands of preparing for Supercars endurance races as the reasons behind his decision. “It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but I felt that the time was right to call time on racing in the Supercars endurance events,” D’Alberto said. “I feel unbelievably privileged to have competed at the highest level of Supercars racing for 22 years straight. It has been a great ride.”
Eleven years with DJR
D’Alberto made his Bathurst debut with Tasman Motorsport in 2005 before establishing himself as one of the championship’s experienced endurance specialists.
His 22 Bathurst starts included two podium finishes, both with DJR, alongside Fabian Coulthard in 2017 and Anton De Pasquale in 2023.
He also recorded five top-six finishes and 10 top-10 results at Mount Panorama.
His 11 Bathurst appearances with DJR place him equal third on the team’s all-time list alongside John Bowe, behind Dick Johnson with 26 and Steven Johnson with 20.
D’Alberto’s final Supercars campaign saw him partner rookie Rylan Gray, finishing ninth at The Bend before a disappointing Bathurst 1000.
“The demands for the right preparation for any driver in Supercars are at an all-time high,” D’Alberto said. “You need to be in a race car as often as possible, and you need to be physically and mentally prepared. If any of those elements are off, then you are not doing yourself or your team any favors.” Tony D’Alberto celebrates third place at the 2023 Bathurst 1000, one of two Mount Panorama podium finishes during his 22-year Supercars endurance career.
DJR confirms replacement plans
DJR executive chairman and co-owner Ryan Story paid tribute to D’Alberto’s contribution over more than a decade. “The reason he was in our car for 11 years is pretty simple. He was fast and he was professional,” Story said. “Two very memorable Bathurst podiums tell part of that story. The way he fitted into this team from day one, respectful of everyone around him and a great team player, tells the rest.”
Story revealed D’Alberto had originally joined the team for 2016 after being identified as the preferred co-driver by Scott Pye. However, the team’s response when asked about its 2027 co-driver plans was considerably more succinct. “The Shell V-Power Racing Team will announce a new co-driver for the 2027 Enduro Cup in due course,” the team said. No indication was given of who might replace D’Alberto after his 11 consecutive seasons with DJR.
GT racing and DJR role continue
Although his Supercars driving career has ended, D’Alberto will remain involved with DJR in an ambassadorial role, supporting the team’s promotional and commercial activities. He will also continue racing in GT competition, with his next appearance alongside Adrian Dietz in a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo 2 at the Adelaide round of GT World Challenge Australia.
Off the track, he will continue as a director of Centaur Products, the automotive and composite manufacturing business founded by his family. “I certainly won’t be a stranger to race tracks, whether I’m still competing myself or if I’m hanging out with my boys racing at the local kart tracks,” D’Alberto said.
“I’d like to pay a special thanks to Dr. Ryan Story and Dick Johnson for trusting me with their race cars over the past 11 years.” Story confirmed the relationship with D’Alberto would continue beyond his driving retirement. “A great innings behind the wheel and an enduring partnership extending beyond it. Thanks, TD, for everything, and we look forward to the next chapter.”
Comments