Top 5 Supercars Drivers of 2022

It has been quite a year in the world of supercars and racing. For months we waited with anticipation to see what records would be broken – and whether Shane Van Gisbergen would continue his dominance and reign supreme as the best current V8 Supercar driver.

From experienced veterans bringing back all their skills to Bathurst to new racers hungry for their chance at glory, the recently concluded Supercars Championship proved to be an exciting and intriguing season for motorsport fans!

In the end, only the best drivers with the right gear end up on the top of the leaderboard. In this article, we look at the Top 5, what they each achieved in 2022 and what we may expect in the new era of gen 3 in 2023.

2022 Supercars Championship Season highlights:

• Shane van Gisbergen dominated the 2022 Championship, with a lead of over 500 points ahead of second-placed driver Cam Waters.
• While Triple Eight Racing took 1st and 2nd in 2021, with Jamie Whincup retiring, his shoes were too big for the talented youngster Broc Feeney, who won in Adelaide and finished in an impressive 6th place in his debut season.
• The big improver was Monster Energy driver Cam Waters, who leapfrogged Chaz Mostert onto the 2nd step on the podium.
• There was not a lot of movement in the top 6-7 drivers, with the DJR Shell duo slotting into 4th and 5th.

Best V8 Supercars Drivers 2022

1. Shane van Gisbergen (1st in 2021)

Points: 3523

Best race result: 

• Tasmania SuperSprint: 300 pts
• Townsville 500: 300 pts
• The Bend: 300 pts
• Bathurst: 300 pts
• Surfers Paradise: 300 pts

SVG continued to display his incredible racing prowess by winning an impressive 21 races out of 34 in the season. His performance was further highlighted by remarkable consistency, where he only missed the podium on seven occasions.

It was an outstanding result from Van Gisbergen that saw him clinch another championship title as well as a second Bathurst 1000 victory. His consistent performances and sheer determination propelled him to the top of the standings, proving that he’s one of the best, currently at the top of his game.

The 2022 season showcased his versatility across different race tracks and formats, technical knowledge and excellent driving skills to help him secure multiple podium finishes throughout the year. It was an awe-inspiring season for van Gisbergen, which saw him gain further recognition in the racing world as one of the most talented drivers around. As such, it comes as no surprise that Van Gisbergen’s performance in 2022 cemented his place as one of the best drivers in the world of motorsport and attracted offers to drive internationally in marque events. Where to, from here for SVG is the question only Shane knows the answer to.

In 2023, if the Camaro is as good as the Triple Eight Commodores, van Gisbergen is predicted to be the man to beat.

Memorable quote:

“The Gen3 car has potential, but I’d like to race people as well. This season, when you follow someone, you can hardly follow with the aero stuff. I just want it to be fun and a good car to drive”.

2. Cameron Waters (5th in 2021)

Points: 2908

Best race result: Winton SuperSprint: 292 pts

Cameron Waters continued to show his mettle in 2022, becoming one of the most consistent drivers in the Championship. Although he didn’t start the season with a bang, it was quickly followed by a top-five finish at Race 2 of Sydney SuperNight. This momentum carried through as Waters collected another eleven podiums throughout the year and seven top-five finishes.

His consistency and skill made him a force to be reckoned with, finishing second overall in the championship, three notches up from his fifth place in 2021. Despite this impressive performance, Waters could not secure a victory during 2022 but could still stay within striking distance, finishing runner-up multiple times – including coming close to winning his first race of the season at Bathurst.

With such an impressive showing across all categories, it’s clear that Waters has cemented himself as one of the best supercar drivers on the grid and is sure to be among the favourites for next year’s championship title. We predicted he’ll come second next year, given he’s the biggest improver from 2021.

Memorable quote:

“That’s the beauty of Bathurst. It throws stuff at you across the day. You need not get caught up in other people’s stuff.”

3. Chaz Mostert (3rd in 2021)

Points: 2835

Best race result: Adelaide 500: 288 pts

Chaz Mostert continued to be a force to be reckoned with in the Walkinshaw Andretti United outfit. He was able to notch up five race wins throughout the season, establishing himself as very fast, somewhat inconsistent, but it’s hard to judge if that’s the driver or the car. In addition to his race wins, he recorded multiple podiums and numerous top-five finishes, including the most coveted Bathurst victory.

Mostert led the WAU team in championship points standings, ending the year with another third-place overall finish. His strong performance was further evidenced by his pole positions and consistent fastest laps throughout the season. His impressive results came in partnership with his long-time engineer Adam De Borre who assisted him to stay very competitive and at the pointy end of qualifying.

With a second consecutive podium season under his belt, Chaz Mostert has established himself as one of Australia’s best V8 Supercar drivers and has solidified a spot as a leader within the WAU team as well as a fan favourite. He’s a lovable larrikin and a non-politically correct Aussie lots of people, young or older, love to follow. Taking a shot at where he’ll be in 2023, we’re predicting 4th, as it all depends on how WAU Racing transitions from Holden to Mustang.

Memorable quote:

“Only thing that could make it taste better was if it was a Woodstock Bourbon”, after doing a champagne shoey on the Bathurst podium.

4. Anton De Pasquale (6th in 2021)

Points: 2599

Best race result: Darwin Triple Crown: 272 pts

Anton De Pasquale entered the 2022 Supercars Championship season with high expectations, having shown remarkable speed and maturity in his first two years as a professional driver. After a breakout rookie season with Erebus Motorsport, De Pasquale moved to Dick Johnson Racing for 2021, where he could show more of his best supercar driving performances.

2022 proved a defining year for De Pasquale, with the young driver overtaking his team mate to take the fourth spot on the leaderboard. He recorded multiple podiums, including a surprise win at Darwin Triple Crown. With an experienced team behind him and a wealth of natural talent, it is not out of the question that De Pasquale is even more in contention at the season’s end as Dick Johnson never gives up on adding another championship to their amazing track record.

His impressive rate of improvement over his first two years suggests that he may be even better in 2023, meaning fans can look forward to seeing him fight at the front of the pack regularly. We’re forecasting he’ll finish 3rd.

Memorable quote:

“Obviously, Shane’s got to be the favourite; there’s no argument on that. But we’d like to give him a run for the whole year”– Anton’s early season quote in 2022.

5. Will Davison (4th in 2021)

Points: 2573

Best race result: Darwin Triple Crown: 269 pts

Will Davison tried to build on the successes of 2021 in 2022, but he found himself falling short in his quest while remaining as the most impressive ‘veteran’. The 40 year old driver returned to Dick Johnson Racing and secured 14 podiums and two poles throughout the season. However, he only placed 5th overall at the end, one position down from his previous year.

Despite not being a title contender, Davison still demonstrated that he had what it took to compete at the highest level as a full-time driver. He may not have reached the heights he wanted in 2022, but Davison can take solace in that he has made tremendous strides since joining the series in 2004. He will be remembered as a very good, rather than a great V8 Supercar driver, and that requires a high level of skill and commitment.

Therefore, even though Davison couldn’t replicate his successes last year, there is no doubt that he still finished strong. But with many younger drivers on their way up, Davison will have to up his game even further if he is to remain a contender in the coming years, and depending on the car, he may well be edged out of the Top 5 in 2023.

Memorable quote:

Davison’s reaction to winning Race 27, the last at Pukekohe Raceway in New Zealand: “It was a really special moment, racing here is always big, particularly for the New Zealand drivers every year. You see over the years, the Murphs, the Scottys, the Shanes and Andre, it was a big moment for him today. Knowing it’s the last event here as well, the crowd is amazing and the passion of the fans is insane.”

Be your own supercar champion

If you’ve wondered how it feels to be a championship driver, try out one of our drive experiences. Not only will you experience the speed and power of a V8 race car or exotic supercar, but you’ll also be able to do so in some of the most iconic racetracks in the country. And if you can’t make it to one of our physical locations, don’t worry–we offer gift cards that let your loved ones choose their own driving experience.