V8 Supercar driver Michael Patrizi is hotly considered the favorite to take the vacant driving role at the newly expanded Tekno Autosport team, his first full season in the V8 Supercar Championship since 2010.
Michael Patrizi is widely regarded as one of the best young drivers in the V8 Supercar field who has never been given the right possibilities in the main game. Despite making his debut in 2008 driving for the Ford Performance Racing-prepared Rising Stars entry before making the switch to Paul Cruickshank Racing in 2009.
Tekno Autosport, led by team owner and driver Jonathan Webb, has taken the leap in 2012 to expand it’s operation into a two car outfit and make the switch from Ford, where they were partnered with Dick Johnson Racing in 2011, to racing in VE Holden Commodores prepared by Triple Eight Race Engineering.
The move for Tekno Autosport was brought about after they were able to acquire the Racing Entitlement Contract (a license to field a car in the V8 Supercar field) from Paul Morris Motorsport.
Originally Tekno Autosport were in discussions with Development Series Champion Andrew Thompson however the deal fell through which has led many insiders to believe that Michael Patrizi is now in the box seat to snatch the vacant drive at the expanded outfit.
“Michael is definitely someone we have been speaking to for a long time,” Webb told leading motorsport news website Speedcafe.com.
“He put his hat in the ring early on, and we know each other really well outside of the game – we do a lot of riding and socialising. He’s definitely in the mix.
“But there are two or three guys still there. We’ll see how it all plays out for the best overall package we can get.”
The 2012 year is shaping to be a big one for Tekno Autosports and Jonathan Webb after high profile behind the scenes changes to the staff whose role it has been to help set the team up as a professional organization who will have the foundations to move forward.
At this point, Webb has not confirmed a title sponsor for his two-car outfit but he says that the team is concentrating on making the right decision for the future while dealing with its growth.
“Because we’re making such a big change, we’re making sure it ties in together – sponsors, drivers and all that sort of stuff,” Webb said.
“We’re doing our best not to jump in and commit to something too early which may hurt us long-term as a team.
“We have a new commercial director who started a couple of weeks ago, so we’re piecing the whole puzzle together. We’re still a little way from confirming anything.
“Everything we’re trying to put in place is a work in progress to make sure it all gels well so we achieve our long-term goals. We’re not rushing anything at the moment.”
Tagged with: Andrew Thompson, Autosports, Box Seat, Dick Johnson Racing, Ford Performance Racing, Foundations, High Profile, Insiders, Jonathan, Leap, Paul Cruickshank Racing, Possibilities, Professional Organization, Rising Stars, Series Champion, Team Owner, Three Guys, Triple Eight Race Engineering, Ve Holden, Young Drivers