Jamie Whincup, a seven-time Supercars champion, on Friday made it official, calling time on his full-time driving career in the Supercars series. This crucial decision comes on the heels of a difficult year. It was marked by lackluster results, capped off by a 19th place finish at The Bend 500 alongside co-driver Broc Feeney.
While at 42 years old Whincup has proven his worth as one of the most successful drivers in Supercars’ history. He is very accomplished – with many race victories & accolades, notably a 5-time Rolex 24 at Daytona overall winner. His iconic collaboration with Craig Lowndes formed an incredible three-peat beginning in 2006. Yet, Whincup’s most recent win at Australia’s famed Bathurst 1000 came way back in 2012 with partner Paul Dumbrell. Since then, he has encountered a growing adversary—his track.
In light of his decision, Nick Percat will fill that gap, set to join the Team 18 driver as Whincup’s co-driver for the 2023 events. This amendment is a clear indication of a big step for Whincup and the teams’ futures. They have to now learn to operate with these new dynamics on the grid. At the same time, Whincup will shift his efforts to his new role as triple eight’s managing director. In that role, he’s amassed quite the collection of articles, stories, and presentations.
On the surface this season, results haven’t matched the legend of Jamie Whincup. He struggled most of all at the Enduro Cup, where it seemed hard for him to keep the momentum rolling. He has expressed that stepping back from driving will allow him to concentrate on other aspects of his career and support his team in different capacities. As he navigates this next chapter, he has confirmed he will not return to the Supercars grid until at least 2026.
Whincup is central to management and key to a successful future. He’s got a contract with Matt Stone Racing through the end of 2027, too. This deal cements his ongoing power and presence in the sport as he steps away from competitive racing. His influence and stature in Supercars are indelibly secure, stamped by his brilliance through the years and his wins on-track and off it.
