Motorsport: Earl Bamber links with Shane van Gisbergen in Supercars

Earl Bamber will drive with Shane van Gisbergen in the 2018 Supercars Championship. Photo / Getty Images

World Endurance Championship and Le Mans 24 Hour winner Earl Bamber will partner 2016 Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen in the Pirtek Endurance Cup next year.

Bamber will link up with his fellow Kiwi at the Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast events next year, forming a formidable partnership at Red Bull Holden Racing.

"I am super excited to be joining Shane and the Red Bull Holden Racing Team in 2018," said Bamber.

"It has been a goal of mine for many years to participate in the Bathurst 1000 and I'm happy to be joining one of the best teams and drivers in pit lane.

"Shane and the Red Bull Holden Racing Team are the benchmark in Supercars and I look forward to supporting Shane in his 2018 championship bid."

Australian driver Matt Campbell raced with van Gisbergen this year but struggled to match the pace of the leading co-drivers.

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His oversees commitments have prevented him from returning in 2018.

"It's a shame Matty's calendar doesn't link up with our Supercars season but getting Earl on board is something I'm really confident in," said van Gisbergen.

"I grew up racing against Earl so I not only know him as a friend but know him as a good driver too."

Bamber was on the lookout for some new racing opportunities in 2018 after Porsche ended their WEC LMP1 program on high in 2017. Bamber, fellow Kiwi Brendon Hartley and German Timo Bernhard won both the Le Mans 24 Hour race before going on to claim a decisive victory in the World Endurance Championship.

Bamber will race in the IMSA sports car series in North America with Porsche next year.

Shane van Gisbergen will team up with good friend and compatriot Earl Bamber in 2018

Meet Earl >> https://t.co/z6phR1zXit#VASC #RedBullHolden pic.twitter.com/oHfrD6zlxh

— Red Bull Holden Racing Team (@redbullholden) December 11, 2017