Pye focussed on results amid “odd” Penske contract situation

Pye will be replaced at the Queensland-based team by Scott McLaughlin for the 2017 season, meaning for the third time in four years he’s facing an uncertain future mid-way through the campaign.

Pye’s tumultuous time in Supercars goes back to 2013, when he split with LD Motorsport at the end of the season before joining Dick Johnson Racing for 2014.

He was then demoted to a co-driver role when Penske became involved with the DJR organisation and Marcos Ambrose was employed as lead driver for 2015, only for Pye to wind up back in the driver’s seat when Ambrose stepped down after a handful of outings.

Pye was then left waiting on his fate for 2016 as well, DJR Team Penske only deciding the Monday after Bathurst that he would be retained in the #17 Ford.

“It’s odd, the year before last I was out of a drive, the year before that I was out of a drive. Last year, right up until Bathurst I didn’t know what I was doing,” said Pye.

“The Monday I found out [about the contract extension], and I swear it felt like a month later my seat was in jeopardy again. It’s something that’s always been going on.”

Already on the market

With the McLaughlin news breaking so early in the season, Pye at least has time on his side as he looks to put together a deal for 2017.

And he says he needs to make sure he uses that time to his advantage, particularly when he’s in the car.

“I don’t know if I’m happy that it’s come out early, but it does mean that I know what my fate is at the moment,” he added. “I’ve just got to do the best job I can whilst I’m in the car.

“As soon as I knew what was going on, I put myself out there. Really the best thing I can do is try and get results on the track.

"I’m in a fortunate position where if I maximise what I’ve got, and I get some good results, that’s what people will see.

“And hopefully that will get me a job for next year, because I don’t want to be unemployed.”

When quizzed on whether he would try and make sure his next year deal is a multi-year one, Pye said: “Every driver would wish to have multiple years, that’s for sure. You’re going to extract a lot more out of a driver if you look after them.”