It’s the most coveted seat in supercars – the soon-to-be-vacant drive of seven-time champion Jamie Whincup at Triple Eight. Now the powerhouse team has named its successor.
The greatest supercar driver in history will be replaced by an 18-year-old after Red Bull Racing confirmed that Broc Feeney will take over from seven-time serial champion Jamie Whincup in 2022.
Feeney will join Shane van Gisbergen at Red Bull Ampol Racing in 2022, with Whincup assuming the role of Managing Director and Team Principal.
Feeney, who will turn 19 in October, currently leads the Super2 series and will be in a wildcard entry at Bathurst 1000 with veteran Russell Ingall in November.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to replace ‘The GOAT’, Jamie Whincup. It’s so surreal to me right now, but I think it will start early next year, ”Feeney told the Supercars website.
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“To be connected with this great team in my Super2 season and to advance to the main series is a dream come true.
“To be honest, I’ve always wanted to do supercars, but being behind the wheel of a Red Bull Ampol Racing machine is pretty exciting.
“The Super2 season was a very important year for me. I knew at the beginning of the year that there was a way to replace Jamie and it all depends on how my results go this year.
“To get four out of six wins and two out of three laps this season has been a great opportunity for me and that now feels like a great reward.
“My focus at the moment is on winning the Super2 championship and then we’ll set some goals for next year. It’s hard to have expectations for the next season at the moment, but I just want to have a consistent year and learn as much as possible.
“Everyone says the rookie year is the toughest, but I’m looking forward to a good and consistent year.”
Whincup believes Feeney can be as successful at Triple Eight as the team when they risked a boat 15 years ago when it couldn’t land a drive.
“I think some people will look at this decision and think we would have gone in the direction of an established driver, but we are not a team that takes things conservatively,” Whincup said.
“We’re taking risks at Triple Eight, we’re up front and our gut instinct is a crack and we are in the lead, and it seemed right to give Broc the opportunity.”
Why Whincup can’t wait to reveal its successor
Supercars legend Jamie Whincup is backing Triple Eight’s new driver to be a future star of the sport as the powerhouses officially unveil his replacement on Tuesday.
After 20 years in the category, Whincup will retire from full-time driving with the seven-time champion at the end of the year to take over from Roland Dane as team principal.
Young Gun Broc Feeney is the favorite to get the coveted spot from Whincup to compete alongside this year’s front runner Shane van Gisbergen from 2022.
The highly rated teenager leads the Super2 championship for Triple Eight and was named partner veteran Russell Ingall in a Bathurst 1000 wild card earlier this year.
The team will unveil Whincup’s successor on the Gold Coast on Tuesday morning.
Ahead of the announcement, Whincup was unable to confirm the team’s new driver, but said he looks forward to welcoming new talent to the roster.
“One of the main reasons I put the helmet up was to make sure I didn’t deny a potential up-and-coming talent the chance to come in and show off,” said Whincup.
“I am very happy that we can commit a new young child with a whole future ahead of us.
“The driver has created the opportunity to drive one of the best cars in supercars through nothing but hard work and dedication, which is fantastic.
“It’s one of the best seats in this category and we all as motorsport fans have the opportunity to see what a small child can do with the best equipment.”
The new Triple Eight driver has big footsteps to fill, replacing an all-time great with more titles, race wins and podiums than any other driver in supercar history.
Whincup acknowledged that it would be difficult for any newcomer to “set the world on fire in the first year,” but predicted that the team’s new racer could be a future champion.
“Given the tough supercar-level competition, it’s hard for any newcomer to dominate and really make a big impact in the first year,” said Whincup.
“He did a fantastic job of fully deserving this position and if he continues on the same path, with the same values and work ethic, then he can be 100 percent a consistent race winner.
“That’s why we chose him. We didn’t go out and picked someone we thought would lead Midpack. “
Whincup was a rising star when he first signed with Triple Eight in 2006.
The now 38-year-old Whincup is still chasing an unprecedented eighth Supercars crown and is second in this year’s championship behind his teammate van Gisbergen with five races remaining.
The four-time Bathurst 1000 champion admitted that the new driver’s announcement had made his decision to retire from his full-time racing career.
“I have to admit it hit me one morning. I thought, wait a minute, we have two cars and now we have two drivers and one of them is not me, ”said Whincup.
“I can’t change my mind now, there is no more space available. I had a little moment of shock and then quickly saw the funny side of it. “
