Triple Eight Race Engineering has confirmed they will make the switch to Ford Mustangs from 2026, ending a 15-year partnership with GM.
The team has plans to become Ford’s Supercars Homologation Team, subject to ratification by a majority vote of Ford’s Supercars teams, and will continue to run as Red Bull Ampol Racing,
Eleven of Triple Eight’s 12 Supercars Team’s titles have come under the Holden or Chevrolet banner.
The initial partnership between Ford and Triple Eight, spanning from 2003 to the end of 2009, earned three Bathurst 1000 victories for Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup, back-to-back Drivers’ championships for Whincup, and a record of on-track dominance that cemented their place in Australian motorsport.
The team made the switch to Holden in 2010.
“Triple Eight’s success is first and foremost down to our people and a relentless, shared desire to win that has set us up for this partnership,” said Triple Eight Team Principal Jamie Whincup.
“Our return to the Blue Oval isn’t just about winning; it’s about that feeling of shared purpose and determination that’s backed up by an exciting road car portfolio.
“What excites me most about our future together is the commitment Ford is demonstrating to our sport, to Triple Eight and to all Supercars fans through this long-term partnership. This is a huge strategic commitment that we are very proud to share.
“We’re very excited to be a part of the Ford Performance ecosystem and the potential opportunities this partnership will present.”
The sentiment is mirrored at Ford. Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance says, “We’ve always admired Triple Eight’s unwavering commitment to excellence. Their engineering prowess and tireless pursuit of victory are almost incomparable. But more than that, there’s a shared history, a bond forged in the fires of competition, that makes this partnership feel so right.
Rushbrook emphasizes the importance of building on Triple Eight’s success, stating, “This is about looking forward, about building a future together, and conquering new challenges.
Andrew Birkic, President and CEO of Ford Australia, adds, “This partnership is about delivering an unforgettable experience for our fans, and is a statement of our commitment to Australian motorsport. This is also a demonstration of Ford’s motorsport ambition, which is stronger than ever.”
Red Bull Ampol Racing’s 2025 Supercars campaign, beginning on February 21-23 with the Sydney 500, will therefore be their last with Chevrolet.
Header Image: Triple Eight Race Engineering
