![\"PremiAir](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Supercars-GoldCoast500-786-copy.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRichie Stanaway during the Gold Coast 500.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRichie Stanaway during the Gold Coast 500.<\/p>\n
The team announced in the lead-up to the event that it would undergo a double driver change for 2026, with Stanaway and James Golding making way for Jayden Ojeda and Declan Fraser.<\/p>\n
However, Stanaway\u2019s tenure lasted just one more event, with the Kiwi benched in favour of Ojeda for the final two events of 2025 at Sandown and Adelaide.<\/p>\n
It marks an ungracious end to what is likely Stanaway\u2019s last full-time Supercars opportunity, having landed at the team following a single season with Grove Racing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like this year we\u2019ve underperformed in a lot of ways. Next year is going to be a bit of a rebuilding year for us with two new drivers,\u201d said Xiberras at Sandown.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reason Jayden has come in early is it\u2019s going to be his first year [in 2026] and to get two races into it this year, I think he\u2019ll be a lot more settled for next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked to clarify the circumstances around Stanaway\u2019s sudden exit, Xiberras added: \u201cThe way I see it, what\u2019s the point in finishing the year and getting no benefit out of it?<\/p>\n
\u201cThe focus for us from this point onwards is it\u2019s all about next year. That\u2019s 100 percent the reason.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stanaway was signed to PremiAir 12 months ago amid great optimism that the Queensland-based squad would be the place where the Kiwi would finally fulfil his potential.<\/p>\n
Asked why it didn\u2019t work out, Xiberras said: \u201cThat\u2019s the $64,000 question, isn\u2019t it? For various reasons it didn\u2019t work. It is what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ojeda arrives at Sandown following a strong Enduro Cup campaign as a Walkinshaw Andretti United co-driver alongside Ryan Wood.<\/p>\n
While next year will mark Ojeda\u2019s first full Supercars season, Fraser is a returnee following a difficult 2023 season at Tickford Racing.<\/p>\n
\u201cDeclan won Super2 and probably didn\u2019t have an amazing year in his first year in main game. But to win Super2, obviously there\u2019s talent there,\u201d said Xiberras.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe a little bit like James Golding, he had a few years out, we brought him in and I think James has grown.<\/p>\n
\u201cTechnically I think he won Bathurst. We won\u2019t go down that road, but he\u2019s done really well and I think we can do the same thing with Declan.<\/p>\n
\u201cJayden obviously went on a different path. He also did Super2 but he\u2019s done really well in GT circles and there\u2019s a lot of good noise coming from him.\u201d<\/p>\n
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