D’Alberto, Youlden confirmed at Penske

As was revealed by Motorsport.com’s comprehensive enduro driver analysis last week, Youlden has been drafted in to partner new signing Fabian Coulthard, while D’Alberto will team up with Scott Pye for the Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000, and Gold Coast 600 events.

Youlden and Coulthard already have a history together, having driven together at Brad Jones Racing for the last three years.

D’Alberto and Pye, however, is an all new pairing.

“It is so important now to lock down co-drivers as early as possible,” said the team’s managing director Ryan Story.

“The level of experience that Luke and Tony bring to DJR Team Penske fits our needs perfectly. Luke will work with a group he is already familiar with, and Tony has already shown a great depth of knowledge with the way the team works.

“We’re very confident that we will field two competitive cars in the Pirtek Enduro Cup with these four blokes.”

Career highlight for Youlden

According to Youlden, the opportunity to switch from BJR to the Penske squad along with Coulthard and lead engineer Phil Keed is a career highlight.

“I was hoping that my association with Fabian would continue when he announced his move to DJR Team Penske and I am thrilled that it has come together,” said the 38-year-old.

“We work very well together and having Phil as our engineer is huge bonus.

“To drive for this team is a real highlight of my career. Dick Johnson and Roger Penske are such huge names in motorsport so to represent them on track is very special.”