Coulthard makes V8 move to Team Penske

DJR Team Penske have announced New Zealand driver Fabian Coulthard will join their V8 Supercars team next season, but the future of veteran Marcus Ambrose is still up in the air.

Coulthard will make the move from piloting a Holden Commodore with Brad Jones Racing to a Ford Falcon at DJR Team Penske, who have only fielded one driver in this year’s championship.

That was meant to be two-time V8 Supercars champion Ambrose, who made a high-profile return from NASCAR at the start of the year, but the 39-year-old stepped away from the sport after only two events.

Scott Pye took over, and it was also announced on Tuesday that he will remain at the team in a beefed up presence on the grid for Team Penske.

“Expanding to two cars has always been a priority of ours, and with Fabian on board, gives us the opportunity to add another car capable of running at the front,” said Team Penske president Tim Cindric.

Ambrose has raced alongside Pye in the last two endurance events – the Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000 – but his role next year wasn’t addressed in the team’s statement on Tuesday.

“I fully support the team with the exciting announcements,” said Ambrose.

“My number one priority since stepping out of the car full time was helping the team with that transition and in Fabian and Scotty, the team has a great future ahead for 2016 and beyond.”

The 33-year-old Coulthard has been a consistent top-10 driver over the last three years, which has included five race wins and 29 podium finishes.

He’s currently fifth in the season standings, and came in fourth with Luke Youlden at last Sunday’s Great Race at Bathurst.

“The chance to race for two motorsport legends like Dick Johnson and Roger Penske is just a special opportunity,” said Coulthard.

Pye has produced six top-10 finishes in 22 starts this season.

“This year has had some ups and downs, but we have been moving in the right direction,” Pye said.

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