Bombshell move as Tripple Eight will Ditch GM for Ford Performance as Homologation Team
Triple Eight Race Engineering to Partner with Ford from 2026 Supercars Season
In a landmark move for Australian motorsport, reigning Supercars champions Triple Eight Race Engineering have announced a return to Ford, confirming they will field Ford Mustangs from the 2026 Supercars season. The decision marks a significant reunion between the powerhouse team and the Blue Oval, rekindling a partnership that previously saw great success from 2003 to 2009.
Credit: Fox Sports Australia
The revelation was made official just weeks before the 2025 Repco Supercars Championship kicks off, sending shockwaves through the Supercars paddock. Despite the shift, Triple Eight will continue racing under the Red Bull Ampol Racing banner. To accompany the announcement, the team has released renders and an initial real-life livery of its upcoming Ford Mustang Supercars, offering fans a preview of what to expect when the new era begins.
As part of the transition, Triple Eight has been nominated to become Ford’s official homologation team in Supercars, pending approval by a majority vote of Ford’s competing teams. This nomination underscores Ford’s confidence in Triple Eight’s technical capabilities and its commitment to success in Supercars.
Triple Eight originally entered the Supercars championship as a Ford team in 2003, enjoying a golden period with the brand. The team secured a dominant championship double in 2008, followed by another drivers’ title in 2009. Between 2006 and 2008, they clinched three consecutive Bathurst 1000 victories, further cementing their status as a Ford powerhouse. However, in a stunning move midway through 2009, Triple Eight announced a switch to Holden, setting the stage for an unprecedented period of dominance with General Motors.
Over 15 years with GM, Triple Eight amassed an impressive haul of nine drivers’ championships, 11 teams’ championships, and seven Bathurst 1000 wins, further solidifying their place in Supercars history. Now, the team is poised to begin a new chapter with Ford, a transition reminiscent of Walkinshaw Andretti United’s shift to Ford at the dawn of the Gen3 era.
Triple Eight Team Principal Jamie Whincup, a two-time champion with the team’s Ford Falcons, described the move as a "huge strategic commitment." He emphasized the importance of shared purpose and determination, expressing confidence in the long-term potential of the partnership.
Ford Performance Global Director Mark Rushbrook echoed Whincup’s sentiments, praising Triple Eight’s relentless pursuit of excellence and their engineering expertise. Ford Australia President and CEO Andrew Birkic highlighted the significance of the deal, calling it a testament to Ford’s commitment to Australian motorsport.
Triple Eight’s 2024 champion driver Will Brown and rising star Broc Feeney remain under contract with the team through 2026, ensuring continuity as the squad embarks on this historic return to Ford.