Triple Eight Race Engineering joins Ford in shock Supercars shake-up

Powerhouse Supercars team Triple Eight Race Engineering has revealed it is defecting from General Motors and joining Ford Performance in a shock new partnership.

Triple Eight will assume the role of Ford’s Supercars Homologation Team from 2026 onwards, taking over from the underperforming Dick Johnson Racing team.

The relationship between Ford and Triple Eight originally started in 2003, but they broke up in 2009.

“The decision to reunite was a carefully considered convergence of timing, ambition, and a shared belief in the potential of combining Supercars powerhouse team Triple Eight with the Ford Mustang, to tackle the Gen3 era together,” Ford said in a statement.

“Triple Eight has proven over two decades that they excel at adapting to Supercars’ everchanging regulatory environments, making them an ideal partner for Ford.”

The initial partnership between Ford and Triple Eight collected 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.

But Ford teams have struggled over the past two seasons amid concerns over a Gen3 engine disparity. In fact, in 2023 the company considered quitting Supercars due to the new-for-2023 Gen3 regulations.

Whincup, now the Triple Eight Team Principal, said he was excited by the re-union.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Triple Eight will still compete as Red Bull Ampol Racing.

The move continues the Supercars merry-go-round with Walkinshaw Andretti United joining Ford for the first season of Gen3 and exiting the Holden Racing Team.

But that union will only last three years, with WAU to become the homologation team for Toyota when that company makes its debut in the 2026 championships.