In a stunning turn of events, Triple Eight Race Engineering is set to race the Ford Mustang in the 2026 Supercars Championship, marking a return to the Blue Oval after a 16-year break. This move reshapes the grid and significantly strengthens Ford’s presence in the series.
Triple Eight’s Historic Move Back to Ford
Ford Australia confirmed today that Triple Eight – also known as Red Bull Ampol Racing – will leave General Motors (GM) to race Mustangs from 2026. This marks a dramatic shift in the Supercars landscape, as the team previously ran BA, BF, and FG Falcons between 2003 and 2009 before switching to Holden due to a funding dispute.
During its GM era, Triple Eight dominated Supercars, securing seven Bathurst 1000 victories (2010, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023) and eight drivers’ championships (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022), making it the most successful team in the championship’s history.
What This Means for Ford and Supercars
This high-profile signing comes at a pivotal time for Ford, which has struggled under the current Gen 3 regulations introduced in 2023. With Triple Eight now responsible for homologating the next-gen Mustang, Ford aims to regain championship dominance after years of Chevrolet Camaro superiority.
Adding to the shakeup, Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU), Ford’s current team, will switch to Toyota in 2026 to field the GR Supra, marking Toyota’s Supercars debut. This means Ford loses WAU but gains Triple Eight, a trade-off that could work heavily in its favor.
Official Statements & Reactions
Ford Performance global director Mark Rushbrook expressed enthusiasm about the partnership:
“We’ve always admired Triple Eight’s unwavering commitment to excellence. Their engineering prowess and tireless pursuit of victory are almost incomparable.”
“This is about looking forward, about building a future together, and conquering new challenges.”
Triple Eight’s team principal and Supercars legend Jamie Whincup, who won seven championships and 125 races, also highlighted the importance of this move:
“Triple Eight’s success is first and foremost down to our people and a relentless, shared desire to win.”
“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.”
General Motors’ Future in Supercars
With Toyota entering the series and Triple Eight switching to Ford, General Motors’ Supercars future looks uncertain. The Chevrolet Camaro, which Triple Eight previously homologated, has been out of production since 2023, and GM has yet to announce future plans.
While at least one other team – expected to be Team 18 – will also switch to Toyota in 2026, GM could be left with just four teams, significantly reducing its influence in Supercars.
What’s Next?
The return of Triple Eight to Ford is a monumental shift in Australian motorsport history, positioning the Blue Oval for a resurgence. With the Red Bull Formula 1 team also receiving Ford powertrains in 2026, this marks a broader motorsport alliance that could redefine the brand’s racing legacy.
With Supercars, Formula 1, WRC, and Dakar partnerships, Ford’s motorsport strategy is firing on all cylinders. But will this move finally break Chevrolet’s recent dominance? The 2026 Supercars Championship is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons in years.
Dylan Anderson
