Grove Racing announces shock departure of team principal David Cauchi just weeks after winning Bathurst 1000

Just weeks after winning Bathurst 1000, Penrite have revealed that team principal David Cauchi is leaving.

The Grove Racing-owned squad issued a shock statement on Thursday morning, saying Cauchi “will take on a new opportunity at the conclusion of the 2025 Supercars Championship season”.

Cauchi has been with the Melbourne-based Grove team since 2022 and is credited with transforming the squad into a “consistent front-runner”.

After leaving Triple Eight Race Engineering following a title win with Shane van Gisbergen, the gun engineer joined Grove and had immediate impact, handing them multiple podium finishes in his first season with David Reynolds and Lee Holdsworth.

Grove said Cauchi had contributed to several key milestones for the team, including the first pole position, podium, race win, and most recently, the Bathurst 1000 victory with Matt Payne and Garth Tander.

“The past four years with Grove Racing have been some of the most rewarding of my career,” Cauchi said.

“To play a part in the team’s growth and to celebrate a Bathurst win together is something I’ll always be proud of.”

He said the decision followed “a lot of discussion” with founder and team owner Stephen Grove and CEO Brenton Grove.

“I feel the timing is right to take on a new opportunity beyond 2025,” he said.

“The team is in a fantastic place and well positioned for the future, and I’m looking forward to finishing the season strongly before starting my next chapter.”

Penrite is currently second in the teams’ championship standings behind Triple Eight and Cauchi is committed to sticking with the team for the final two rounds in a bid to help deliver them the title .

“I’m extremely grateful to the entire Grove family for the trust and support they’ve shown me throughout this journey,” he said.

Stephen Grove said Cauchi had been a huge part of the team’s journey and and he had “enormous respect” for him on a personal and professional basis.

“Over the past four years, he’s helped us build a structure and culture that has delivered results - culminating in our Bathurst 1000 win this year,” Stephen said.

“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together and fully support him as he steps into his next role. He leaves the team in fantastic shape and with our complete backing.”

Brenton said Cauchie had been a huge part of Grove Racing’s growth and evolution.

“His leadership has helped lay the foundations for the success we’re now building on, and it’s been great to share this journey with him. As he prepares for his next chapter, we’re completely supportive,” Brenton said.

“He remains a key part of our plans through 2025, and we’ll work closely to ensure the team finishes this year in a manner consistent with his contribution.”