Speaking on the V8 Supercars website, the team principal of DJR Team Penske said that the lack of speed of his Ford Falcon FGX was one that had been discussed in the season-opening round at Adelaide.

Therefore the actions of the two-time series champion Ambrose after the Australian Grand Prix event did not come as a shock.

‘‘I think his decision was one that we made together,’’ Penske said.

‘‘I didn’t say, you know, you should get in or get out, and he really said ‘Listen, what’s the right best thing for the team?’ So I’m not in any way, shape or form unhappy with him.

‘‘He’s done a great job. He’s supporting us, he’s supporting Scott [Pye, who replaced Ambrose], and I think Scott’s learning some from us. Look, we got two good guys.

‘‘Now, what we have to do is get them a better horse

‘‘He had high expectations, as we both did, but quite honestly, you’d have to say we’re both rookies.

‘‘The cars have changed [since Ambrose’s final V8 Supercars season in 2005 before he switched to NASCAR], so there’s a little bit different environment to what he had before and I think what he felt was ‘I don’t want to hold the team back’.’’

Ambrose has missed two rounds (Symmons Plains and Barbagello), with Pye not getting the car into the Top 10 in that time.

Penske confirmed Ambrose would also sit out the Winton round on May 15-17,

The team will then take stock before the Darwin round, which starts on June 19, meaning there is a chance he could return to the car before the enduros later in the season.

But Penske did confirm he would definitely be back in the seat this year.