In the ruthless world of motorsports, where rivalries are fierce and every driver is out to prove themselves, genuine camaraderie is a rare commodity. But for Helio Castroneves, the four-time Indy 500 champion, and Shane van Gisbergen, the three-time Supercars king turned NASCAR breakout star, their relationship is proof that sometimes, the greatest competitors make the best mentors.
More than a decade ago, a lost and struggling Castroneves found himself in the unfamiliar world of Australian Supercars, out of his element in a right-hand-drive machine on one of the world’s toughest circuits. The man who stepped up to help him? A young Shane van Gisbergen, who unknowingly set the stage for a mentorship that would come full circle in the most unexpected of ways.
Lost in Australia: How SVG Became Castroneves’ ‘Coach’
Castroneves had already conquered the Indianapolis 500 three times by the time he was invited to compete in Australia’s V8 Supercars (now Supercars Championship) back in 2010. But on the brutal layout of Queensland Raceway, all that success meant nothing. The Brazilian ace struggled with braking points, rhythm, and confidence, a foreigner in every sense—new car, new setup, and no one to lean on.
“It was so tough and so exciting,” Castroneves recalled. “It was my first time driving on the right-hand side instead of the left, and I was having such a hard time.”
That’s when SVG stepped in. The Kiwi driver had already been racing in Supercars for three years with Stone Brothers Racing, and rather than watching Castroneves drown, he offered crucial guidance—tips on braking, positioning, and adapting to the high-intensity, door-banging world of Supercars.
“He saw I was having a hard time finding the braking point. He came over and gave me a lot of tips,” Castroneves said. “I improved about a second and a half, and I was like, ‘From now on, you’re going to be my coach!’”
The result? Castroneves finished his Supercars stint with a career-best 10th place, proving that even the best drivers sometimes need a guiding hand in uncharted territory.
A Full Circle Moment: Castroneves Seeks SVG’s Help Again—This Time in NASCAR
Fast-forward more than a decade, and the tables have turned. Shane van Gisbergen is no longer just a Supercars superstar—he’s now one of NASCAR’s hottest newcomers, having stunned the world by winning his debut Cup Series race on the streets of Chicago in 2023.
Now, as Castroneves re-enters NASCAR through Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91, he finds himself in a familiar position—a legend in one discipline, but a rookie in another. And once again, he knows exactly who to turn to.
“I told him, ‘Look, coach, you went back again, so you gotta give me tips again!’” Castroneves joked. “And he’s been great from the beginning to the end, and we’ve reconnected again.”
The story has come full circle. The student has become the teacher, and the two drivers now lean on each other as they navigate new challenges in their ever-evolving careers.
Beyond Rivalry: Racing’s Greatest Lesson in Camaraderie
Racing is a sport defined by individual glory, but the best drivers never succeed alone. The Castroneves-van Gisbergen bond is a testament to the fact that, in motorsports, the right advice at the right time can change everything.
- SVG proved his versatility by conquering NASCAR right out of the gate.
- Castroneves remains one of the most adaptable drivers in history, crossing seamlessly between IndyCar, NASCAR, and sports cars.
- Their mutual respect transcends disciplines, proving that the best in the world never stop learning.
“Competition runs hot, but the respect is something deeper,” Castroneves reflected. “I learned those lessons all those years ago in Australia, and I carry them with me every time I face a new challenge.”
So the next time Helio Castroneves finds himself lost on an unfamiliar track, struggling to adapt, there’s no doubt he’ll be making a familiar call—to Coach SVG.