RED Bull Racing Australia have announced that Alex Premat will be Shane Van Gisbergen’s co-driver for this year’s Bathurst 1000 and V8 Supercars Enduro Cup rounds.

Despite this being his debut with the six-time Bathurst 1000 winning team, Premat is no stranger to the world of V8 Supercars, having driven full-time for Garry Rogers Motorsport in 2012 and 2013, then joining the squad for the following two years as a co-driver for the Enduro Cup.

“I’m proud to be part of such a great team, especially with the successful history that Triple Eight Race Engineering has in V8 Supercars and at Bathurst,” Premat said.

“I will do everything in my power to bring them great results. Personally, my goal is to be the first French [born] Bathurst winner.”

Red Bull Racing Australia team manager Mark Dutton believes the 33-year-old was the man for the job when it comes to co-driving with Van Gisbergen.

“We only ever go for the best enduro co-drivers that are available, so when Alex became available we jumped at the opportunity,” Dutton said.

“We are very excited to have him as part of the team. Alex is well regarded around the world, and I don’t think we have seen his full potential in a V8 Supercar just yet.”

New recruit Van Gisbergen is ready to take the endurance season by storm, after claiming a win at the notorious Gold Coast 600 circuit and taking third at the Sandown 500 in 2015.

“It was a pretty cool surprise when I heard about Alex being available for the endurance races this year. He has an awesome racing history, but more importantly good speed and consistency as a V8 Supercar co-driver the last couple of years,” Van Gisbergen said.

“The enduros are huge weekends in the championship and I think we have a great driving combination for them.” 

Ahead of his V8 Supercars co-driving duties, Premat has been busy preparing for the 24 Hours of Daytona, in which Van Gisbergen will also compete, later this week. 

“I’ve had the chance to race against Shane for the past four years, I am thrilled to now be driving with him. He has the talent to be a V8 Supercars champion,” Premat said. 

“Our collaboration will be strong and reinforce the team. Shane’s always been a strong competitor and a fighter, I respect him.”

Premat will appear alongside Van Gisbergen at the Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 600 for 2016.