Van Gisbergen: Title boosts Bathurst 1000 chances

The Kiwi wrapped up the 2021 title with a round to spare in Sydney last weekend, the Sunday wash-out leaving his 349-point lead unassailable heading to the season-closing Bathurst 1000.

Reflecting on the ramifications of having the title sewn up early, van Gisbergen reckons it's a big boost for he and Garth Tander's Bathurst 1000 hopes.

He says the pair can now run a more aggressive strategy aimed at a second straight Bathurst crown, rather than needing to be conservative to bank enough points for the title.

"None, anymore," said van Gisbergen when asked about the pressure of Bathurst.

"It's good, I can relax about it now. I can have a couple days to let this soak in and then focus on Bathurst.

"I think the most relieved guy is Garth. It's tough for the co-drivers, they haven't done enough miles, any of them. For him to just go and do his own prep and build up as he goes... even in the race he can get more comfortable and focus on winning.

"For us, we're not going to have to strategise around staying out of trouble. We are going there purely for the race win with both cars.

"It will be more intense, probably, going for the win. But it will be more enjoyable."

Van Gisbergen and Tander will head to the Mountain as one of the outright favourites.

Teammates Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes will also be in the hunt at what will be Whincup's farewell as a full-time driver.

The group of pre-race favourites will also include in-form Anton De Pasquale and co-driver Tony D'Alberto, while Cam Waters was the pacesetter at last year's Great Race.

The Bathurst 1000 week kicks off on November 30 with the race itself on December 5.

2021 Bathurst 1000 entry list