Nissan Motorsport has locked in Michael Caruso for a second term in the Norton Altima, cementing the status quo for the four-car operation for 2014.
Caruso’s deal to remain with the factory squad had remained in limbo long after his team-mate James Moffat had been confirmed as the team worked on locking in its commercial arrangements.
The one-time V8 Supercars race winner has endured a trying maiden season with Nissan, currently sitting 24th in the points standings.
His only true highlight has been a second place at Winton in August, where he followed home team-mate Moffat.
“After what has been a development year for the team, I’m excited about what the future holds with Nissan and Norton,” Caruso said in a statement announcing his new deal, of which the length is unconfirmed.
“We had our highlight result at Winton with the 1-2, and we’ve got a lot of improvements coming for 2014 so I really wanted to be a part of that and it’s great that I can now put all of my focus there.
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“Stability is absolutely critical in Nissan’s return to the category, and that exactly what we’ll have for next year.
“When you have the same people in the cars and the same group of engineers and mechanics, it’s definitely going to start paying dividends.
“I’m very excited and it’s a nice bonus to announce it here at the Sydney 500. It’s my home event and to tell my home town followers that I’m going to continue on in the same team next year is perfect.”
Nissan motorsport chief executive John Crennan said Caruso was more than worthy of receiving a second stint at the Melbourne squad.
“He is a genuine elite driver in the V8 Supercar ranks and is deserving of his factory driver status, and (he) is also an outstanding ambassador for our business partners and the sport in general.
“In a sport where there are so many driver/team deals done as ‘marriages of convenience,’ Michael’s re-signing with us is as a result of a genuine business and sporting criteria evaluation by both parties.”
