Imagine spending years working alongside some of the greatest names in Formula 1, only to find that some of your most cherished memories come from a smaller, more intimate racing team. That’s exactly what Steve Hallam experienced during his ‘awesome’ era with Shane van Gisbergen and Tekno Autosports. After a remarkable career in Formula 1 with Team Lotus, McLaren, and drivers like Ayrton Senna, Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso, Hallam’s journey took him to NASCAR in America and eventually Down Under to lead Walkinshaw Racing/Holden Racing Team. But it was his time with Tekno and van Gisbergen that truly stood out.
And this is the part most people miss: Despite the team’s modest size—just 10 or 11 members—they became a powerhouse, winning seven championship races, three non-championship races, and securing second and fourth place in consecutive championships as a single-car squad. ‘It was two years of the best racing I have ever had,’ Hallam shared on the Dinner with Racers Podcast. ‘Shane was friggin’ fast, and we had a really neat, small team.’
But here’s where it gets controversial: While Hallam praises van Gisbergen’s exceptional speed and the team’s camaraderie, he also acknowledges the challenges, like struggling on low-grip tracks in Perth. ‘Every person on that team contributed in a really positive way,’ he noted. ‘People wanted to be there because they felt they mattered.’ This raises the question: Is success in racing more about the driver’s skill, the team’s dynamics, or the resources available?
Hallam’s time in Australia wasn’t just about winning races; it was about the raw, back-to-basics nature of Supercars racing. He even recalls working on the V8 Supercars commission, helping set rules and regulations. ‘Australian racing was a lot of fun,’ he said. ‘To drive Bathurst with those cars—oh friggin’ hell, that’s why those guys are so good.’
Now, Hallam has returned to America as Principal Engineer Vehicle Support for Toyota Racing Developments, with whispers of his involvement in the Toyota Supra Supercars project. Yet, his time in Australia left an indelible mark. ‘Supercars were great,’ he reflected. ‘It was invigorating to get back to winning.’
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: In an era of big budgets and high-tech teams, do smaller, more intimate setups like Tekno Autosports still have a place in modern racing? Or is the future of the sport inevitably tied to larger, more resource-heavy operations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
