Marcos Ambrose steps back from Penske V8 Supercars drive

After nine years in NASCAR, Ambrose returned to Australia to lead the new joint venture between Team Penske and Dick Johnson Racing, starting the 2014 season finale in Sydney.

As the team's sole driver in 2015, and aboard the new FG X model Ford Falcon, Ambrose has found the going tough in the opening two events and subsequently requested to be "temporarily relieved" from the drive.

Ambrose qualified 24th and finished 16th in the two Saturday races at Adelaide's season opener, but he appeared to make a breakthrough for Sunday's longer race, qualifying ninth and finishing 12th.

During last weekend's non-championship event alongside the Australian Grand Prix, his best result was 18th from four starts.

"I want to thank DJR Team Penske for the opportunity and support through the process of transitioning back into V8 Supercars," he said.

"I would like to make it clear that I am fully committed to this team.

"Although this is a decision which has been hard to make, it has become clear to me over the first two events of the season that I need more experience in these cars to do what is required of the lead driver and to be competitive for the team and our partners.

"This decision to step aside from the lead driver role at DJR Team Penske is completely my decision."

A team statement did not set a timeframe for his return, referring only to the endurance races in September and October.

Scott Pye, one of DJR's 2014 drivers and already announced as its 2015 endurance race driver, will step into the seat from the Symmons Plains event on March 27-29.

"I appreciate the effort that Marcos and DJR Team Penske have provided over the first two events of the season," Roger Penske said.

"Following the Australian Grand Prix, Marcos came to the team, requesting to be replaced from his upcoming driving responsibilities, while he continues the transition back into V8 Supercars competition.

"Entering the season, Marcos understood that the competition in this series is at a very high level and now realises that more time is required for this transition.

"This was a difficult decision for Marcos but I appreciate him thinking about the greater good of the team."

AUTOSPORT SAYS
Mitchell Adam, International editor (@DrMitchellAdam)

No-one expected Marcos Ambrose to stroll back into V8 Supercars and make Jamie Whincup look second-rate; this was always going to be a medium-to-long-term project.

Ambrose has spent nine years in NASCAR and in the time he's been away, V8 Supercars have evolved significantly, especially with the introduction of the Car of the Future platform in 2013.

The switch from the FG Falcon - for which DJR has two years of data - to the new FG X will not have helped his cause, and neither will running without a team-mate.

Still, Ambrose's decision to step out of the seat after just two events is curious.

The going was tough, but with testing essentially non-existent, spending time in the car at race meetings would appear to be the best - if not only - way for things to improve.

In the meantime, Scott Pye will get back in the car and do a good job.

His recent experience will help sort the FG X package for Ambrose's return, whenever that may be.