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After losing his full-time drive last year, Will Davison marked his return to the Supercars grid with a podium finish at Bathurst.

Supercars star Will Davison has expressed his relief after marking his return from exile with a podium finish at Bathurst.

The 38-year-old's future was uncertain last year after he lost his full-time spot on the grid when 23Red Racing folded following the COVID-related loss of major sponsor Milwaukee Tools.

Davison returned as a co-driver to help Ford's Cameron Waters finish second at last year's Bathurst 1000, before being named along with Anton De Pasquale as the new drivers for Dick Johnson Racing after the exits of Fabian Coulthard and three-time Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin.

After finishing third in Saturday's 250km season opener at Mount Panorama, Davison made it clear he is not going to take his career lifeline for granted as the new-look DJR aim to stay at the front of the pack without McLaughlin.

"It was a long year watching on the couch last year and this feels really special," Davison told Fox Sports.

"Our goal is to be winning this year.

"I know all the Ford fans are really expecting us to step it up and we will from here."

The two-time Bathurst 1000 champion's joy was tempered by late heartbreak for fellow returning driver Tim Slade.

The pair were duelling for third position with five laps to go in Saturday's race when Slade crashed out, leaving the 35-year-old visibly distraught on the side of the track as a fairytale debut for Blanchard Racing Team turned into a nightmare.

"Sladey was quick. I was pretty comfortable, it's hard to follow here so you know it's just managing the situation," Davison said.

"I'm really happy to see him doing well ... I do a bit of training with him at home so I know how hard he's worked to get back on the grid so (I'm) shattered for him but I'll take this."