Supercars driver Garth Tander made the shock decision to drive a Ford in 2023 — and now it’s been revealed his young son will join him at Grove Racing.

Although Tander insists nine-year-old Sebastian was always bound for Grove Racing, even if the Supercars star had remained with Red Bull Racing’s Triple Eight team for 2023.

Sebastian will join Grove Racing’s books on the Junior Team for 2023 in a move Tander is immensely proud of.

“Obviously as a father it’s a great honour, and pride, that the Grove Junior Team have identified Sebastian’s early skills in karting and offered him a spot in the Junior Team,” he said.

It means the father and son will be at the same race team in 2023 after Tander turned down an offer to remain at Triple Eight Racing and partner championship winner Shane van Gisbergen.

As one of the most dominant pairings in recent Supercars history, the duo had claimed two of the past three Bathurst 1000s.

But on Friday Red Bull Racing confirmed Tander would not be at Triple Eight in 2023, and a short time later Penrite Racing, owned by Grove Racing, revealed they’d signed the 45-year-old.

It’s a remarkable move for Tander, considering he’d driven a Holden in all 642 of his race starts before crossing to Ford for next season.

Tander said his decision to sign with Grove Racing was unrelated to talented karter Sebastian’s signature.

“People will obviously say that he got his spot in the Junior Team because of me, but, hand on heart, (Penrite team principal David) Cauchi told me they were signing Sebastian, regardless of whether I signed for Grove Racing or not,” he said.

“So in reality, Sebastian was signed up before I was!

“But this is a great opportunity for Sebastian to learn.”

Tander’s move to Penrite Racing will help the development of Supercars rookie – and Grove Junior graduate – Matt Payne, with the young New Zealander to race full time alongside David Reynolds after the retirement of Lee Holdsworth.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to work in some great race teams in Supercars. What I have seen Stephen and Brenton Grove achieve in a very short time frame is seriously impressive,” Tander said.

“When they asked me to be part of what they are building for the future, not only as a driver, but also to help mentor Matt Payne, who has already proven to be an immense talent and also help guide the Grove Junior Team it was something that grabbed my attention.

“I have worked closely with many within the team in the past, having worked with Alistair McVean, David Cauchi and Grant McPherson already (at Red Bull), as well as a teammate to Dave Reynolds way back when he was a little tacker.

“Something big is being built here and I am honoured to be part of it.”