Anton De Pasquale to join Team 18

One of the first big driver moves in the Repco Australian Supercars Championship for 2025 has been announced, with Anton De Pasquale to replace Mark Winterbottom at Team 18. After four seasons with Dick Johnson Racing (Shell V-Power Racing Team), 29-year-old De Pasquale will join Charlie Schwerkolt’s squad in what’s being described as a ‘multi-year’ deal. The move will see De Pasquale reunite with former Erebus team mate, David Reynolds, at Team 18 and drive a Chevrolet Camaro for the first time in his career.

“I’m super pumped to be joining Team 18 in 2025,” said De Pasquale. “It’s a really exciting next step for me in my career and I’m looking forward to progressing with Charlie, Adrian [Burgess] and the team, and being a part of what they’re building for the future. 

“Looking forward to chasing that common goal and getting stuck into it next year!” 

De Pasquale made his Supercars debut in 2018 with Erebus Motorsport and moved across to Dick Johnson Racing in 2021. At time of writing, he has nine race wins and 16 pole positions, with his most recent win being at Townsville in 2023 and most recent podium being a pair of third place finishes at Taupo this year. His best Bathurst 1000 result is third, achieved last year with Tony D’Alberto.

Schwerkolt sees De Pasquale’s signing as major coup for Team 18, saying that the Victorian has what his team needs to progress further.

“It’s exciting to have Anton join the team," Schwerkolt said. “Anton’s a clear standout in the next generation of drivers coming through the sport. He’s a proven winner and has what it takes to be a future champion of the sport.

At time of writing, Winterbottom has yet to secure a drive for 2025.

“I’d like to thank Mark for his contribution to the team,” Schwerkolt added. “We have shared some great successes together, including our first pole position and race win.”