Triple Eight and Holden have been one name since 2010, with many accolades, including seven Bathurst 1000 wins and nine drivers’ championships. The Holden Commodore has been central to the team’s achievements and has cemented their status as a giant of Australian motorsport. The heartbreak of feeling towards getting away from Holden is one thing, and strategically, the team understands they must embrace a fresh breath and chance forwards.
The Ford Reunion: A Strategic Shift
From the 2026 Supercars Championship season onwards, Triple Eight intends to race under the Ford banner as Ford’s official homologation team. This rekindles a relationship last seen from 2003 to 2009, during which time Triple Eight enjoyed three Bathurst 1000 victories and straight-back drivers’ championships. The decision to resume this association was born out of mutual aspirations through the Gen3 era and motivating each other to realize advancements on performance.
Opinions from Leadership
Jamie Whincup, Team Principal of Triple Eight and previous champion driver, maintains the enthusiasm for this transition:
“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. 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.”
Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance, echoed this sentiment:
“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.”
Effects on the Supercars Arena
This transition will redefine almost everything in the Supercars Championship. The introduction of Ford into the mix with Triple Eight’s switch casts greater assurance on this competition, especially with Gen3 being implemented to better racing and cut costs. Fans will watch for red-hot competitions as old rivalries are rekindled and new ones formed.
Looking Ahead
With Triple Eight Race Engineering preparing for the tremendous move, the motorsport world can anticipate. Leaving the Holden Commodore is certainly bittersweet, but with Ford, the windows of opportunity will bring in the excitement and many more accomplishments on the track.