Supercars: Jamie Whincup to retire at the end of 2021

Supercars Championship legend Jamie Whincup will retire from full-time driving after the conclusion of 2021’s season, replacing Roland Dane as the managing director and team principle of his current squad Triple Eight Race Engineering.

The seven-time Supercars champion will become the new head of the team after a 19-year career in which he has become the most decorated driver in the category’s history.

Since his rookie season in 2003, Whincup has won 122 races, including four Bathurst 1000 wins, all of which with the Triple Eight squad he joined in 2006.

The-soon-to-be 38-year-old has been toying with the idea of retirement for a while now, spurred on by building a future with the team after he bought a 15% stake in 2018.

Whincup is yet to decide whether he will continue as an endurance driver, competing in either the Bathurst 1000 as a co-driver, or racing in the Bathurst 12 Hour.

Speaking to Supercars.com, Whincup said:

“I’ve always said that after I retire from full-time driving, I want to keep going racing and in 2018 I made the commitment for that to be with Triple Eight by becoming a shareholder,” said Whincup.

“I’m honoured that Roland trusts me to lead the family that he’s built here in Australia.

“I’ll certainly maximise every opportunity this year and beyond to learn from him and I’m grateful that he will still be dedicating a portion of his time in 2022 to ensuring the team and I have the best opportunity for success.

“I have to thank everyone who has supported me during my driving career – family, friends, fans and partners. I’ll be giving my all to making sure we deliver the best results possible in 2021.”

Roland Dane, who Whincup is replacing, will move into a part-time advisory role from 2022, on top of continuing as an 11% shareholder and chairman of the board of directors.

Having led the squad since it arrived in Supercars back in 2003, Roland Dane said the global health crisis has prompted his decision to move out of a day-to-day role, with plans to “enjoy different forms of motorsport” and spend more time overseas once international travel becomes easier.

Dane also said to Supercars.com:

“Since Jamie expressed an interest some years ago in continuing his career in motorsport with Triple Eight after he retires from full-time driving, the plan has always been for him to take the reins,” said Dane, who will remain at the helm until the end of the year.

“He has proven himself to be an integral part of the Triple Eight family during his 15 years here and has absolutely nothing to prove on track.

“I have every confidence that he will approach his new role with exactly the same motivation, diligence and competitive spirit that he brings to the track at every round.

“COVID-19 has reminded me that I’m not getting any younger and I’m looking forward to having more time on my hands to enjoy different forms of motorsport in different capacities and spend more time with my elder daughter in the UK, once the pandemic permits.”