With their futures decided, as well as Scott Pye's related move from DJRTP to WR alongside Courtney, where de Silvestro, 28, goes will have a major bearing on other moves or replacements. She is among at least three newcomers vying for up to seven potential vacancies, although her big backing and pedigree as an accomplished international open-wheel driver means she has her pick. De Silvestro is a definite starter because her deal is underwritten by Supercars, which has brokered sponsorship from retailer Harvey Norman reputedly worth $2million a year over three seasons. Supercars is also understood to be paying her annual salary, making her combined funding package attractive to leading teams in addition to her unique appeal as a woman with the potential to be competitive in male-dominated V8 racing. De Silvestro, nicknamed "The Iron Maiden", impressed in her wild card appearance with Queenslander Renee Gracie in last year's Bathurst 1000.

She will again partner Gracie in next month's Mount Panorama classic in their Harvey Norman Supergirls entry, which is a fifth Nissan Altima. The fact that they have switched from Ford to Nissan for the October 9 Bathurst1000 strengthens the widespread belief that de Silvestro will join the factory-backed Nissan team for the start of her full-time Supercars campaign next year. So far, the Kelly Racing-run squad has only confirmed Michael Caruso as one of its four Altima V8 drivers as part of the Japanese manufacturer's two-year renewal. De Silvestro will be the first woman to compete full-time in Australian touring car championship racing since Christine Gibson in 1975. She will also be the first female to race regularly in the Supercars era, which started in 1997. She is one of only three women to have scored a top-three placing in American IndyCar racing and also tested with the Sauber F1 team, which was unable to pursue her potential because of a funding crisis.

With McLaughlin, Courtney and Pye off the market, de Silvestro is the next major signing that will influence the remaining changes in the 2017 Supercars driver line-up. Other newcomers looking to graduate are second-tier Dunlop Series pacesetter Jack Le Brocq and Porsche Carrera Cup star Matt Campbell, while Le Brocq's teammate Garry Jacobson is also looking to move up. Courtney's re-signing by Walkinshaw Racing against expectation, given HRT's struggles since he joined in 2011 after winning the Supercars crown with Dick Johnson Racing, also triggered Pye's move. Pye was thrown a lifeline after being ousted from DJR Team Penske by McLaughlin, joining WR alongside Courtney as V8 veteran Garth Tander's replacement. To keep high-priced Courtney after losing Holden's $2 million annual backing – and its status as Holden Racing Team – WR cut Tander and signed Pye to save money.

Courtney commands an annual salary of around $1 million while Tander, the 2007 Supercars champion and three-time winner of the Bathurst 1000, was reportedly getting about $700,000 a year. Pye is a much affordable alternative and, at 27, is arguably a much better long-term investment than 39-year- old Tander, who is in the frame for vacancies elsewhere. Tander has been linked to a return to Garry Rogers Motorsport, where he began his Supercars career in 1998, to replace McLaughlin in the Volvo squad. But there are complications, including GRM's looming legal dispute with Volvo to keep running its S60 racers without factory support, and James Moffat's recent resurgence. Moffat was under threat, but now looks secure, forcing the team to decide between promoting young gun James Golding from the second-tier Dunlop Series or opt for the Tander's proven race-winning experience.

Tander, whose victory in last Sunday's Sandown 500 was a reminder that he is still a front-running force, is also in the frame to join aspiring midfield team Erebus Motorsport or even Nissan Motorsport. While 2006 Supercars champion Rick Kelly is expected to continue alongside Caruso and de Silvestro, his elder brother and fellow team co-owner Todd's driving future is uncertain. Nissan's existing fourth driver, Dale Wood, is looking elsewhere, while the New Zealand-owned Super Black Racing entry – currently run by Prodrive Racing – could change hands. Prodrive could take over the SBR entry to field a fourth Falcon for either of its Dunlop Series proteges, Le Brocq or Jacobson, leaving well-backed incumbent Chris Pither to take his sponsorship to one of the small teams. Both places at backmarker Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport are up for grabs, with lead driver – and former Bathurst 1000 co-winner – Nick Percat set to replace veteran Jason Bright at Brad Jones Racing.