Erebus Motorsport has attempted to hose down speculation surrounding its 2014 plans by issuing a defensive media statement underlining its desire for status quo.
The squad could receive a significant shake-up next year with James Rosenberg, who owns the #47 Racing Entitlements Contract that Tim Slade competes under, currently reviewing his options for the future.
Slade, who along with team-mate Lee Holdsworth has appeared somewhat disheartened by the Mercedes-AMG package's difficult development process, is also far from guaranteed for 2014, with Walkinshaw Racing emerging as a possible future home.
CLICK HERE for Speedcafe.com's recent report on the REC market
CLICK HERE for Speedcafe.com's recent report on the driver market
Having noted a preference for keeping an identical three-car line-up when approached by Speedcafe.com in Townsville, Erebus has gone to the extreme length of issuing a statement from Erebus chief executive Ryan Maddison in direct reaction to this week's silly season reports.
“For Erebus the 2013 season was all about change with a new manufacturer, new cars, a new owner and a new driver, and we have worked very hard to get the team to the point it is at now,” he said in the statement.
“My intention is to not disrupt our trajectory in any way and to keep building on the current development and performance phase we are in.
“There has been much speculation in the media about potential driver, sponsor and REC changes, in particular Tim Slade and James Rosenberg, however one-on-one discussions with all parties have taken place and our aim is to enter the 2014 season with the same structure of drivers, cars and crew we have at present.
“To date this year we have achieved the milestones we said we would and the best way to continue developing our programme is to maintain continuity across all areas of our business. We want a culture of performance, not change.
“I have had a number of category drivers mention to me that they would like a Mercedes-Benz as their drive car, but right now they'll have to purchase that themselves.”
Slade, Holdsworth and third driver Maro Engel sit 21st, 26th and 27th respectively in the V8 Supercars Championship after 21 races.