Motorsport: V8 champion changing teams

James Courtney. Photo / Getty Images

V8 Supercar champion James Courtney's anticipated departure from Dick Johnson Racing was confirmed on Monday.

The 30-year-old, who claimed his first V8 title on the streets of Sydney's Olympic Park earlier this month, is believed to have signed a deal to race with the Holden Racing Team next season.

While Courtney is yet to confirm the switch, if he does join HRT it means for the second year in a row Ford will lose the champion driver to Holden.

"Winning the championship with Jim Beam Racing this year is obviously one of the greatest highlights of my career so far," Courtney said in a statement.

"We've had some amazing highs and some lows in my two seasons with Dick's team - but we came out on top and delivered a championship by taking on the `big guys' and beating them.

"But I never like sitting still and really feel it's time for a new challenge - which will be revealed in the very near future. And it's important to note that Dick, the team and myself have ended our professional relationship still with genuine mutual respect and a continuing real friendship ... which is pretty unique in this sport."

Courtney's title win came despite an ownership struggle within the team between legendary ex-driver Johnson and co-owner Charlie Schwerkolt.

While Schwerkolt has since sold his share in the team to leave Johnson as a majority owner, the dispute is believed to have made up Courtney's mind to seek a new home in 2011.

He was rumoured to have signed a deal to race under Schwerkolt in a fourth Ford Performance Racing Falcon but that move has fallen through with the revelation he's chosen to jump to join 2007 champion Garth Tander at HRT.

Johnson said that the while he was disappointed to lose the services of Courtney, he wished him all the best for the future.

"It's a shame to see the winning combination broken up, however James has decided that moving on is the best thing for him and his family and I respect that decision," the three-time Bathurst champion said.

"The history books will show that James Courtney won the 2010 driver's championship with Jim Beam Racing.

"He's added something wonderful to the team's history and for that we will always hold him in the highest regard."

Johnson says Courtney's replacement in the team's No.18 Falcon will be announced shortly although former FPR driver Steven Richards is considered the man most likely to pick up the drive.

- AAP