Shane van Gisbergen has joked he’s “glad” he doesn’t drive for Purple Bull’s Formulation 1 staff amid a tricky maiden season within the NASCAR Cup Sequence.
Regardless of successful on his NASCAR debut at Chicago in 2023 and scoring one other podium throughout a part-campaign at Watkins Glen final yr, van Gisbergen has confronted a difficult transition to full-time Cup Sequence driver.
Within the opening 15 races of the season, van Gisbergen has damaged into the highest 10 simply as soon as, his inexperience on ovals proving a transparent handicap.
A breakthrough got here final weekend in Mexico Metropolis, the place he dominated from pole on the street course, however even after that win, van Gisbergen admitted he nonetheless has to “justify” his place on the grid.
Thanking Trackhouse Racing for its continued religion in his capacity, the Kiwi took a light-weight jab at Purple Bull over its choice to axe fellow New Zealander Liam Lawson after solely two races earlier this season.
“I’m glad I didn’t drive for Purple Bull F1 after how the primary few rounds went,” mentioned Purple Bull athlete van Gisbergen.
“[Team boss] Justin [Marks] has been superb, supporting me and simply giving me on a regular basis I would like and never placing strain on [me].
“It’s been actually cool.”
Aside from making a few dozen outings within the Cup Sequence final yr, three-time Supercars van Gisbergen additionally raced full-time within the Xfinity Sequence to proceed his adaptation to inventory automotive racing.
He completed twelfth in NASCAR’s second-tier nationwide sequence with victories at street programs in Portland, Sonoma and Chicago.
Nevertheless, regardless of the added expertise of a full yr within the Xfinity Sequence, van Gisbergen believes he has needed to begin from scratch on his commencement to the highest class in 2025.
“I really feel like I’ve needed to begin once more,” van Gisbergen mentioned.
“Like final yr taught me loads and helped me get acclimated to American racing. The vehicles are identical to chalk-and-cheese totally different.
“There’s no comparability to how they drive, how they react within the air. I really feel like I’m studying every little thing once more.
“I went to Nashville the opposite week and the vehicles drive nothing comparable. I really feel like I’m an entire rookie all collectively, however the outcomes are enhancing and the tempo is getting higher.
“I really feel like we’re not forcing it. Like I’m not doing silly stuff making an attempt to maintain up each week.
“I believe we’re being methodical, getting higher each week, studying our processes and our real competitiveness has gotten loads higher.
“We’ve been pissed off with 18th or no matter it’s been the final couple of weeks as a result of we had potential to be on the again finish of the highest 10 or fifteenth, which is a good consequence for the way it’s been going.
“If we maintain progressing on the ovals then these street programs arising, something can occur. I’m comparatively pleased.”
Van Gisbergen sits thirtieth within the championship after 16 races, however his victory in Mexico has secured him a provisional berth within the playoffs.