Davison Reflects on DJR Departure: “Frustrating” End to Iconic Partnership
Veteran Supercars driver Will Davison has broken his silence following his split with Dick Johnson Racing (DJR) at the end of last season, expressing his disappointment with the timing and manner of the team’s decision to end his five-year tenure. Davison, who piloted the iconic No. 17 Ford, revealed he was blindsided by the news, which arrived late in the year, significantly hindering his prospects for securing a full-time drive in 2026.
The announcement came in the aftermath of the Gold Coast 500, a challenging weekend for the Ford outfit. Davison finished 13th and 20th across the two races, while teammate Brodie Kostecki was forced to withdraw from the Saturday event due to significant damage to his car sustained in a major qualifying crash.
Speaking to Wide World of Sports, Davison highlighted the inopportune timing of the team’s communication. “I hadn’t shunted the car and written it off, that’s for sure,” he stated, reflecting on the period. While acknowledging a tough middle section of the year, he pointed to a resurgence in form towards the season’s end, asserting his competitiveness.
Despite being aware of ongoing speculation about his future, Davison claims he received repeated assurances from DJR that his position was secure. He even revealed that these reassurances led him to turn down opportunities from other teams. “Then it was kind of like ‘Oh god, all the rumours were true’,” he said, expressing his frustration. “But that’s what annoyed me – I’m an honest sort of person, I had a great relationship with that team. I had a lot of other people offering me opportunities because they’d heard rumours, but I was reassured over and over again I was safe because I was hearing I wasn’t. The way things went down was frustrating.”
He described the experience as a harsh reminder of the cut-throat nature of motorsport. “It’s the type of industry it is. It bites a lot of people. It’s dog-eat-dog. I get it’s a business, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth. It was not an enjoyable year last year dealing with some of the things I was.”
This departure marks the end of Davison’s second spell with DJR, his first having run from 2006 to 2008. While his initial exit was on his own terms, leading to a coveted drive with the Holden Racing Team, this latest chapter concluded very differently.
Despite the lingering frustrations, Davison expressed gratitude for his extensive career in the sport. “I was able to finish over 600 races and I had all my family there to give me a wonderful farewell,” he shared. He confirmed that his contract for the current year was honoured, providing a degree of closure, though the condensed timeframe for his farewell was a point of contention. “I had another good year in me in the right circumstances, I know I did. I know some of my performances last year when things were going wrong out of my control, I was driving as well as I’d ever driven. It was just a messy year, which happens in our sport sometimes.”
A Career of Highs and Lows
Davison’s journey in motorsport has been a rollercoaster, marked by both significant triumphs and devastating setbacks. His early career showed immense promise, even leading to a Formula 1 test with Minardi in 2004. However, his path has also been punctuated by serious incidents.
- The 2010 Bathurst 1000: A brutal crash at the notorious “top of the mountain” resulted in multiple rib fractures.
- Post-Bathurst Incident: Just six weeks later, Davison was involved in another substantial accident at Sandown, necessitating the use of spare cars for subsequent races in both instances.
- Team Shutdown: In 2020, the sudden collapse of his 23Red Racing team during the pandemic left him without a drive, although he managed to secure a co-driving role for the Bathurst 1000 that year.
Yet, alongside these challenging moments, Davison has achieved remarkable success:
- Bathurst 1000 Victories: He is a two-time winner of the iconic Australian endurance race.
- Erebus Motorsport Triumph: In 2015, he secured a memorable race win for Erebus Motorsport during their Mercedes-Benz era in Perth.
These varied experiences, he believes, have instilled invaluable life lessons. Davison hinted at the possibility of releasing a tell-all book in the future, detailing the raw narratives of his career. “I’ve had some kicks, but I’ve always come back,” he stated. “There have been times where you totally doubt yourself and you’ve been kicked when you’re down.”
He elaborated on the psychological toll of the sport: “When things are running hot and you’re on a momentum train and you’re with the right group and the right car, very quickly it can turn on you, and people can turn on you, and you can start doubting yourself. I’ve been through it a lot but I’ve been able to come out the other side four or five times. There’s been a lot of self-doubt, there’s been a lot of elements in my career where I’ve learned the hard way.”
Despite the adversities, Davison emphasised his resilience and ability to return to competitive form. “But I’ve also been very fortunate that I’ve been able to grind and dig myself back to amazing situations and be competing with the best of them over and over. I’ve challenged the best of the best as teammates and beaten them.” He suggested that many of the stories from his career, beyond the victories and podiums, are the ones that have shaped him most profoundly. “If everyone knew some of the things I went through … when I break it all down, they’re the stories and chapters that made me stronger as a person. Some of those experiences I actually look back on just as fondly as the victories in small teams or podiums or top fives.”
Looking Ahead: Co-Driving and New Ventures
While Davison may not be competing full-time in Supercars this season, his presence in motorsport remains strong. He has been signed as a co-driver by Grove Racing, partnering with reigning Bathurst 1000 champion Matt Payne for the endurance events at The Bend and Bathurst.
Furthermore, Davison is embarking on a new challenge, sharing a Ferrari GT3 with OnlyFans personality Renee Gracie in the GT World Challenge, showcasing his versatility across different racing disciplines.
