Triple Eight makes shock switch to Ford in Supercars

Ford has shocked the Supercars pitlane by signing reigning Supercars champion staff Triple Eight Race Engineering for 2026 and past.

The squad, which gained the Supercars drivers’ title with Will Brown and the groups’ title final 12 months, will race two Ford Mustangs after the tip of the brand new season.

It’s going to even be chargeable for the design and growth of the Mustang from the beginning of subsequent season – after fulfilling the identical position with the Chevrolet Camaro Gen3 automotive it at the moment races.

The information comes 15 years after the staff defected in the wrong way, from Ford to Holden, in 2010. It transitioned to Chevrolet in 2023 following the demise of the Holden model.

T8 Group Principal and co-owner Jamie Whincup, who gained the 2008 and 2009 titles in Falcons, was within the USA at Ford Efficiency’s season launch and known as the information a “big strategic dedication.”

“Triple Eight’s success is in the beginning right down to our individuals and a relentless, shared need to win that has set us up for this partnership,” Whincup stated.

“Our return to the Blue Oval is not nearly successful; it is about that feeling of shared objective and willpower that’s backed up by an thrilling highway automotive portfolio.

“What excites me most about our future collectively is the dedication Ford is demonstrating to our sport, to Triple Eight and to all Supercars followers by means of this long-term partnership. This can be a big strategic dedication that we’re very proud to share.

“We’re very excited to be part of the Ford Efficiency ecosystem and the potential alternatives this partnership will current.”

The information implies that at the least three groups will change producers for 2026.

Walkinshaw Andretti United will swap from Ford to Toyota subsequent 12 months, as a part of the Japanese international large’s arrival in Supercars with the Supra. Paradoxically, like T8, WAU is a former Holden works staff, earlier than it defected to Ford.

Toyota will even assist a second staff working Supras subsequent season, having revealed plans for a second two-car entry with a to-be-confirmed staff.

As part of its new preparations T8 can also be more likely to run a Ford Mustang GT3 entry on the 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour, a race wherein it has beforehand competed with Mercedes-Benz vehicles. There isn’t a T8 entry on this weekend’s race, although Brown and team-mate Broc Feeney will drive, in separate entries.

This 12 months’s Supercars collection begin in Sydney Motorsport Park on 21-21 February.