Michael Caruso will remain at Nissan Motorsport next season after signing a new multi-year contract with the factory squad.
Confirmation of the deal ends months of speculation over the 31-year-old’s future and comes despite the recent announcement that sponsor Norton is set to leave the team.
Nissan has already locked James Moffat in for next season, leaving owner/driver Todd Kelly’s seat as the only major uncertainty amid ongoing sponsorship talks.
Caruso joined Nissan last season after spending his first five full-time V8 Supercars seasons at Garry Rogers Motorsport.
“I’m very excited. It’s fantastic that I can stay along this path with Nissan,” said Caruso, who is currently Nissan’s highest placed driving in the standings, placed 12th.
“We’ve put a lot of hard work into the team in the past couple of years and I know we have a great deal of success ahead of us.
“The team is currently going through some changes on the commercial front, but the great thing is that the guys came to me straight away and locked me away.
“That was extremely comforting and it’s great that they had me in the forefront of their mind.
“It’s great to have my future secure, but I’ve still got this season to worry about. I’m currently 12th and one point off 11th and I’d love to finish inside the top 10 in the championship.
“That is definitely achievable, but it’s not going to come easy. We have to make it happen.
“We are progressing really well, we have lots happening behind the scenes and we’ll just continue to do the best we can.”
Nissan Motorsport general manager of marketing and sponsorship, Nick Ryan, praised Caruso for his efforts with the team on and off the track.
“Michael is a terrific asset for the team and we are pleased to confirm a new multi-year deal with him,” said Nick Ryan.
“There was no question on our intentions to retain Michael and we are pleased the process has been seamless throughout.
“Michael joined the team at the start of our journey with Nissan in 2013 and he has proven himself as a leader within the organisation.
“Not only is he great for us in the car, he is also one of the most likeable drivers in the category, both for sponsors and for the fans.
“As Nissan Motorsport continues to climb the V8 Supercars ladder, we are excited to have Michael along for the journey.”
Caruso’s best finish with Nissan is a second place to team-mate Moffat at Winton last season.
His one-and-only V8 Supercars race win came with GRM at Hidden Valley in 2009; a year in which he finished a career best ninth in the championship standings.
Caruso holds the unique distinction of being involved in three manufacturer-backed V8 Supercars efforts, having also run under the Holden Young Lions and Ford Rising Stars banners in the Development Series.
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