Roland Dane says that he’s ready to step away from the team principal role at Red Bull Racing Australia next season in order to make way for new blood.
The team owner originally stood down from the team’s front-line after hiring Adrian Burgess for the 2011 season.
Dane found himself back at the controls midway through this year, putting Burgess on gardening leave after being informed of his decision to switch to Walkinshaw Racing for 2014.
Despite the turmoil, Red Bull went on to win a fourth consecutive Teams’ Championship, with Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes taking a one-two in the Drivers’ for the third straight year.
“We’ll wait and see what we can put together in the new year and how we roll out,” Dane told Speedcafe.com when asked if he’ll continue in the role.
“For sure I’m going to allow the team to develop and I’m the last person to stand in the way of younger people coming up.
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“I don’t want to be hanging on by my coat tails to a position I don’t deserve.”
Typically, Dane went on the offensive when asked whether Burgess’ exit provided increased motivation to secure the championship results.
“I’d by lying if I said it didn’t. I don’t like being let down by people,” he said.
“In my experience in motorsport over many years I’ve seen that there are many people that I like to call motor racing mercenaries.
“I try to steer clear of them and unfortunately I made a mistake.
“We learn from our mistakes so I’ll avoid that in future, I hope. If I make that same mistake again it shows how dumb I am.”
Dane confirmed that he officially fired Burgess, who had been on ‘gardening leave’, on the eve of the Sydney 500.
Such a move would likely have cost the Englishman any performance bonuses that he would have been in line to receive for winning the championship.
Triple Eight will slim down from three cars to two next season with the removal of its formerly Casey Stoner driven Dunlop Series program.
Although expressing pleasure at being able to focus on his two main series cars, Dane says that he’s keen to keep the team’s technical relationship with customer outfit Tekno Autosports.
Tekno’s Triple Eight chassis won races at the Adelaide season opener and Sydney season finale in the hands of Shane van Gisbergen.
“I’m not sure exactly what the customer program will be next year but for sure we will support Tekno with Shane,” said Dane.
“I’m a big believer in Shane, I think he’s a great driver and the Tekno guys I personally get on with very well.
“I’m very happy to lend them our support in the same way that we have this year, where they completely validated our program.”
Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport also campaigns ex-Triple Eight chassis, but operated without customer support for the final three months of the year.
The Melbourne-based LDM is expected to return with at least one car in 2014.
Ex-Walkinshaw driver Russell Ingall continues to be linked to the team, despite having undertaken a ‘farewell tour’ with sponsor Supercheap throughout 2014.
