‘What a journey’: Whincup hits pause on Bathurst chase
Joanna Guelas |
Jamie Whincup won’t return to the Supercars grid in 2026, with the Australian motorsport legend making way at Triple Eight Race Engineering.
The record seven-time Supercars champion has put his chase for a fifth Bathurst 1000 victory on hold and will be replaced as a co-driver by recently retired full-time driver Nick Percat.
Percat will link up with current series leader Broc Feeney in the No.88 car next season, with co-driver Scott Pye to continue with defending champion Will Brown.
Whincup, also the managing director at Triple Eight, steps away from driving until 2027 after sub-par results across the Enduro Cup this season.
With Feeney, the 42-year-old finished 19th at The Bend 500 and sixth at the Bathurst 1000.
Whincup hasn’t won the Bathurst 1000 since 2012 with Paul Dumbrell, after forming a formidable partnership with Craig Lowndes to pull off a three-peat from 2006.
“What a journey it’s been,” Whincup said in a statement.
“I have always said I will continue to drive the car as long as the management team and I feel like I’m the best person for the job.
“I’ve made the call that Nick is our best chance for success to team up with Broc for next season.
“I’m not saying (this year’s) Bathurst was my last race in a Supercar.
“At this stage, I will not be driving a Red Bull Ampol Racing race car in the 2026 or 2027 Enduros.
“I’m not shutting the door on driving ever again. It’s not something to read anything into either.”
Percat, who made his Supercars debut in 2010, joins Triple Eight from Matt Stone Racing.
The 37-year-old famously won the Bathurst 1000 on debut, claiming the holy grail of Australian motorsport as a co-driver for Garth Tander.
He announced a shock retirement on the eve of this year’s Bathurst event, despite having a contract with Matt Stone Racing until the end of 2027.
Percat finished the regular season in 16th, after winning three podiums at the Australian Grand Prix and in Tasmania.
At the most recent Gold Coast 500, he placed 18th and 22nd across two races.
“To be stepping into the seat Jamie was in is a bit of an honour,” Percat said in a statement.
“Jamie was the guy we all tried to beat for so long, and his ability inside the car is seriously incredible.
“I was fortunate enough to have a few battles with him over the years, but more often than not, he was schooling all of us.
“Having a literal racer as your boss is pretty unique, but a very big asset for us.”
Feeney remains in championship contention ahead of this weekend’s penultimate round at the Sandown 500.
The 23-year-old leads rivals Chaz Mostert, Matt Payne, Cam Waters and Will Brown in the top five.
AAP
