Supercars Sydney: Finale declared, van Gisbergen crowned 2021 champion
Shane van Gisbergen has secured the 2021 Supercars title after the final race at Sydney Motorsport Park was declared due to bad weather.
The Triple Eight driver just needed to finish within 49 points of teammate Jamie Whincup in today's 250-kilometre race to claim the 2021 crown.
That proved to be easier than expected, Supercars officials calling off the race after just a handful of laps behind the safety car due to bad weather.
The non-result means van Gisbergen will head to Bathurst next week with an unassailable points lead.
He won't be formally crowned champion until after the Great Race, though, due to the unlikely event he's slapped with a points penalty.
Van Gisbergen also claimed the Sydney Cup and the $25,000 prize money.
"It sucks we couldn't put on a show but it's been an awesome time [in Sydney]," said van Gisbergen.
"It's super cool to win another championship, I'm over the moon.
"We haven't been fast enough [at Sydney Motorsport Park] but we've got results and been consistent. Less mistake than others. We had one bad but the rest of them we were always up there.
"I can't thank the team enough, it's been an awesome season. Our cars have been really strong almost everywhere. I'm super stoked."
Podium: Shane van Gisbergen, Triple Eight Race Engineering Holden
Photo by: Edge Photographics
Van Gisbergen set up his title-winning season with a remarkable run of form early in the season.
He won the first six races of the season, four of those coming just weeks after he broke his collarbone in a mountain bike crash.
The Kiwi has been in cruise control in terms of the title fight ever since, able to keep closest rival, teammate Jamie Whincup, at arm's length.
He has won a total of 14 races and has been on the podium in 23 of the 29 races so far this season.
Nick Percat, meanwhile, was denied the opportunity to properly start today's race from pole position.
The BJR driver led the field behind the safety car for five laps until the race was red flagged and the field called into pitlane.
They sat there for some time until officials decided to abandon the race due to standing water on the circuit following a day of consistent rain.
Earlier the Super2 race had been red flagged and not restarted after several drivers went off in the first few laps.
The 2021 Supercars season will conclude with the Bathurst 1000 on 5 December.
Related video
Supercars Sydney: Van Gisbergen wins wild opener to close in on title
Why Supercars doesn't use a full wet tyre
Alfa Romeo hopes new C43 F1 car is "an all-rounder"
In 2023 the Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team starts a three-year transition to its new Audi identity, with just this season to be run in the colours of the Italian manufacturer.
The role themed events have to play in hooking new racing fans
OPINION: There’s lots to look forward to in national motorsport in 2023, and some of the most popular events are set to be those with a strong focus
Van der Linde to defend DTM title with Schubert, Rast returns with BMW
Sheldon van der Linde will defend his DTM title with Schubert Motorsport in 2023 following the series' switch to the ADAC platform, pairing up with treble champion Rene Rast.
Kyle Busch explains Mexico detainment over gun discovery
NASCAR racer Kyle Busch has released a statement to explain his detainment while attempting to depart Mexico following a January vacation after a handgun was discovered in his luggage.
Autosport writers' most memorable moments of 2022
The season just gone was a memorable one for many of our staff writers, who are fortunate enough to cover motorsport around the world. Here are our picks of the best (and in some cases, most eventful) from 2022
When Nissan ruled Australia with its 'Godzilla' Group A special
The Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R was the fastest Group A touring car ever. It cleaned up at the Bathurst 1000 and in the Australian Touring Car Championship, and is fondly remembered by the drivers who monstered it to success on the world-famous Mount Panorama
Ranking the top 10 Supercars drivers of 2021
It may have been a one-man title fight in Supercars this season, but behind dominant champion Shane van Gisbergen were some fascinating performances. Autosport picks out the best drivers of the 2021 campaign.
The well-travelled racer now Supercars' elder statesman
James Courtney has been around the block in his motorsport career it's fair to say. After a single-seater career cut short, he's won everything there is to win in Supercars. Following a rocky ride recently in the Australian category, he's found a happy hunting ground with Tickford Racing, as Andrew van Leeuwen explains
How taming his temper shaped Supercars' slow-burn star
His decision to leave Brad Jones Racing was the biggest shock of the Australian Supercars silly season so far. But for Nick Percat, it comes as the culmination of a personal journey that has made him into one of the most rounded drivers in the series, now in search of a seat that can make him a champion
Why replacing Supercars' GOAT with a teenager is worth the risk for T8
On the face of it, picking an 18-year-old rookie to replace arguably the greatest Supercars driver of all time is a risky move. But as Jamie Whincup takes up a team principal role and hands his car to Broc Feeney, it's one that he is confident will be rewarded in the fullness of time - time which wasn't afforded to Whincup in his early days
Can DJR still be a Supercars powerhouse after Penske?
OPINION: Roger Penske's operation helped lift Dick Johnson's faltering Ford team back to the top of Australian tin-tops. But, despite The Captain's departure, along with star driver Scott McLaughlin, there's no reason to expect an imminent decline from DJR
Why Whincup's next move is no calculated gamble
Supercars' most successful team of the past 15 years is set for a radical shakeup next year when Jamie Whincup retires from driving and takes over the reins at Triple Eight. But the team's outgoing boss Roland Dane has full faith that he'll be up to the task
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.