'Big change': Supercars icon locks in plans for 2026
Lowndes confirmed in March that 2025 would mark the final year of his two-decade partnership with Ford-bound Triple Eight.
The veteran has now signed a two-year deal with Team 18, the outfit that General Motors selected to replace Triple Eight as its Supercars homologation team.
The 51-year-old will spearhead the Chevrolet Camaro wildcard entry at Supercars endurance races from 2026, mentoring a young rookie driver.
Lowndes has competed in a staggering 31 editions of the Bathurst 1000, having won the famed race on seven occasions.
"Joining Team 18 was the right move for me, being the new homologation team and my strong relationship with GM," Lowndes said in a statement.
"It's going to be a big change - joining a new team after so many years.
"But there are a lot of familiar faces in there.
"It's an exciting time ahead ... the Supercheap Auto Wildcard program has grown from strength to strength during my time at Triple Eight. The young kids now look to it as a strong pathway to a future in the sport."
Team 18 owner Charlie Schwerkolt described the recruitment of Lowndes, who joins David Reynolds and Anton De Pasquale at the Melbourne-based team, as "an incredible honour".
"To go from starting as a single-car customer entry in 2013, to building a team from the ground up, to now running a wildcard for one of the most legendary names in Supercars, it's a proud moment for every person in our organisation," Schwerkolt said.
"We'll be throwing everything at this program.
"Our next step is to identify a rising star to pair with Craig, assemble the right crew, and build a program that can challenge at Bathurst and The Bend."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Australian
6 hours ago
- The Australian
Ford reveals plans for $46k electric ute to rival Chinese in 2027
Ford is set to launch a Ranger-sized electric dual-cab ute in 2027, built on a brand new platform designed to make electric vehicles (EVs) cheaper and faster to build. The American giant said this could be its biggest turning point since the original Model T. The ute will debut in the US with a starting price of approximately US$30,000 (AUD 46,000) - far below the cost of most EV utes on sale. The US-built ute will be designed for global markets; however, Ford Australia says it's too early to confirm if the model will be sold locally. Ford CEO Jim Farley said the new EV will match the acceleration of a Mustang EcoBoost capable of 0-96km in approximately 4.9 seconds, while offering passengers more space than a Toyota RAV4, plus smart storage solutions. MORE: Eye-popping price for brand's first 'Aussie' ute Ford CEO Jim Farley speaks at the Louisville Assembly Plant, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) MORE: The 'mega truck' dividing Aussies The company also said it will deliver a long driving range, DC fast charging, and enough vehicle-to-home power to run a house for six days. The electric ute will be built at Ford's Louisville plant in Kentucky, backed by a US$2 billion (A$3bn) investment, alongside a US$3 billion (A$4.6bn) battery plant in Michigan. It will use the new EV platform and Ford's new assembly tree production method. Instead of one long production line, three parts of the vehicle are built separately, the front, rear and the battery and then brought together. MORE: China attacks iconic Aussie utes in new move Ford Mustang Mach-E GT. Photo: Supplied The new EV platform will use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs as part of the vehicle's structure, lowering the centre of gravity and increasing cabin space. It will also be used across a variety of body styles. From mid-2025, Australia's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard will push carmakers to cut emissions, especially in high-selling utes. If Ford's electric ute makes it here, it will give Australian buyers, especially tradies, a far cheaper EV option than what's currently available. Final specifications will be revealed closer to launch. Danielle Collis Journalist and Reporter Danielle's background spans print, radio and television, she has contributed to outlets such as The Age, ABC, Channel Nine and many more. For more than four years, Danielle has worked as Liz Hayes' producer and investigative journalist on her show 'Under Investigation', covering everything from corporate scandals to Australia's most baffling crime cases. Danielle's covered a range of topics from breaking news, politics, lifestyle and now motoring. Danielle Collis
Daily Telegraph
16 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Max Verstappen slams front-wheel drive cars as 'worst thing ever'
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring News. Followed categories will be added to My News. COMMENT: Max Verstappen is the best driver in the world. But that doesn't mean he is always right. The Red Bull Formula 1 star recently starred in a video alongside British motoring journalist Chris Harris, driving Ford's supercharged Mustang GTD. MORE: Fury over Albo's road tax Max Verstappen is a four-time F1 world champion. Photo:The pair talk about driving techniques, the finer points of racing, and how Formula 1 has evolved. They also talk about road cars, and one point divided car enthusiasts – Max's stance on front-wheel-drive cars. Harris asks Verstappen if he likes front-wheel-drive models – a type of vehicle that includes the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf GTI, and the F1 ace was clear in his response. 'I think it's really boring,' Verstappen said. 'For me, it's like anti-driving … it's like the worst thing ever.' MORE: EV ute to shake up market Verstappen is not a fan of budget performance cars. Photo: AP Photo/Denes Erdos Harris agreed, and described the layout as 'wrong-wheel-drive'. Supercars and racing cars with enormous power outputs and astronomical prices are almost exclusively rear-wheel-drive, with some four-wheel-drive exceptions. Most budget cars are front wheel-drive. MORE: 'Nintendo' solution to road rage Honda's Civic Type R is an outstanding machine. Cars like the Mini Cooper, VW Golf, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla send drive to the front wheels, because it's cheaper and easier to build a car that way. Car makers don't need to buy extra parts, and they don't need to make space for differentials and driveshafts in the back of the car. Most front-wheel-drive cars don't have stacks of power, so they don't need to distribute their torque across four tyres. All-wheel-drive can be vital in slippery conditions such as ice, snow or mud. But it isn't necessary for most people, most of the time. The Hyundai i30 N is a driver's delight. As for Verstappen's take that it represents anti-driving? My experience is wildly different. I'm lucky enough to test-drive most new cars that go on sale in Australia, from Peugeots to Porsches, or Fiats to Ferraris. Yes, most front-wheel-drive cars are not designed to thrill drivers. But some of them are, and they're capable of delivering driver satisfaction in a manner that much more expensive cars struggle to match. Hand-on-heart, I've had more fun in front-drive, manual hot hatchbacks than I have in $500,000 supercars – both on the road and the track. A great hot hatch is a joyous thing. They're far more relevant than overpowered exotics in the real world. It's much more fun to hustle s slow car than to be frustrated in a 500kW exotic, especially if you don't have access to an F1 car on weekends. Cars like the Ford Fiesta ST and Hyundai i30 N will make you laugh out loud. And if you learn to carry corner speed and master the art of weight transfer, a great front-wheel-drive machine will leave you cackling with delight. I've owned one for 10 years. My Renault Megane RS is a brilliant machine. Renault Megane RS 265 at Challenge Bathurst 2019. I've taken it on track more than 50 times at places like Albert Park – home of the Australian Grand Prix – and Mount Panorama, home of the Bathurst 1000. The front-wheel-drive Megane will dance on its tiptoes, slide through corners like a rally car, and even spin out of control if you're not careful. It's a brilliant car. And having tested more than 1000 cars as a motoring writer, I can tell you that it is a long way removed from being 'the worst thing ever', and certainly doesn't represent 'anti-driving'. Of course, I'm not a Formula 1 driver. But neither are you, and together, we'll be just fine if we choose front-wheel-drive cars. Originally published as Why the world champ is wrong about front-drive cars
The Advertiser
18 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Ford admits it needs to lift its passenger car game
Ford needs to improve its passenger car offering according to Bill Ford, chair of the automaker his great grandfather Henry Ford founded in 1903. Speaking to Autocar, Mr Ford admitted the brand – which has taken a global approach to go heavy on pickups and SUVs – has neglected passenger cars. "On the passenger car side, we realise we're not as robust as we need to be," Mr Ford told Autocar when asked about a return to passenger cars which made the brand famous the world over. "We're working on our future strategy right now. But I think you'll be surprised – pleasantly surprised – by what's coming." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The company hasn't announced any new passenger cars, nor suggested what area of the passenger car segment – hatchbacks, sedans, wagons or otherwise – it may step back into. A recent trademark filing for the Mach 4 nameplate indicated Ford may be planning to build a sedan version of the Mustang, like that which it reportedly showed to dealers in 2024. The only passenger car currently in the Blue Oval's showrooms Down Under is the Mustang, with 90 per cent of Ford Australia sales made up of the Ranger dual-cab ute and its SUV spinoff, the Everest. In Europe, Ford offers the Focus, but it exits production this year; in China, it has a new generation of Mondeo, which is exported to the Middle East as the Taurus. Earlier this year, Automotive News Europe said Ford global CEO Jim Farley, who reports to Bill Ford, issued a directive to its design and engineering teams to develop passenger cars. Ford of Europe has been responsible for some of its most lauded passenger cars, including the last Fiesta hatch/sedan, Focus hatch/sedan and Mondeo hatch/wagon sold in Australia. Those vehicles – like the Australian-made Falcon – saw their sales (and profitability) fall as SUVs grew in popularity around the world. In Australia, utes have also become hugely popular, with the Toyota HiLux and the Ranger having been at the top of the charts for a decade. Apart from the Mustang, Ford showrooms currently have little to offer driving enthusiasts. This comes despite the brand's impending return to Formula One in 2026 with Red Bull Racing. Mr Farley, a passionate motorsport enthusiast, said late last year Ford would no longer make "boring" cars, hinting at a return to enthusiast and track-focussed models. He suggested the automaker wouldn't simply be making a return to its previous passenger car offering but instead would focus on the strength of its famous nameplates. "We'd always competed at the heart of the passenger-car market, which didn't work out too well for Mondeo, Focus and Fiesta," he told British publication Car. "They were loved by a lot of customers, but they could never justify more capital allocation – unlike commercial vehicles. "Ford never funded enthusiast products – they were always a side business. Now with Mustang, Raptor and Bronco, they're our business." MORE: New Ford passenger cars on the way: could Fiesta and Focus return? MORE: Explore the Ford showroom Content originally sourced from: Ford needs to improve its passenger car offering according to Bill Ford, chair of the automaker his great grandfather Henry Ford founded in 1903. Speaking to Autocar, Mr Ford admitted the brand – which has taken a global approach to go heavy on pickups and SUVs – has neglected passenger cars. "On the passenger car side, we realise we're not as robust as we need to be," Mr Ford told Autocar when asked about a return to passenger cars which made the brand famous the world over. "We're working on our future strategy right now. But I think you'll be surprised – pleasantly surprised – by what's coming." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The company hasn't announced any new passenger cars, nor suggested what area of the passenger car segment – hatchbacks, sedans, wagons or otherwise – it may step back into. A recent trademark filing for the Mach 4 nameplate indicated Ford may be planning to build a sedan version of the Mustang, like that which it reportedly showed to dealers in 2024. The only passenger car currently in the Blue Oval's showrooms Down Under is the Mustang, with 90 per cent of Ford Australia sales made up of the Ranger dual-cab ute and its SUV spinoff, the Everest. In Europe, Ford offers the Focus, but it exits production this year; in China, it has a new generation of Mondeo, which is exported to the Middle East as the Taurus. Earlier this year, Automotive News Europe said Ford global CEO Jim Farley, who reports to Bill Ford, issued a directive to its design and engineering teams to develop passenger cars. Ford of Europe has been responsible for some of its most lauded passenger cars, including the last Fiesta hatch/sedan, Focus hatch/sedan and Mondeo hatch/wagon sold in Australia. Those vehicles – like the Australian-made Falcon – saw their sales (and profitability) fall as SUVs grew in popularity around the world. In Australia, utes have also become hugely popular, with the Toyota HiLux and the Ranger having been at the top of the charts for a decade. Apart from the Mustang, Ford showrooms currently have little to offer driving enthusiasts. This comes despite the brand's impending return to Formula One in 2026 with Red Bull Racing. Mr Farley, a passionate motorsport enthusiast, said late last year Ford would no longer make "boring" cars, hinting at a return to enthusiast and track-focussed models. He suggested the automaker wouldn't simply be making a return to its previous passenger car offering but instead would focus on the strength of its famous nameplates. "We'd always competed at the heart of the passenger-car market, which didn't work out too well for Mondeo, Focus and Fiesta," he told British publication Car. "They were loved by a lot of customers, but they could never justify more capital allocation – unlike commercial vehicles. "Ford never funded enthusiast products – they were always a side business. Now with Mustang, Raptor and Bronco, they're our business." MORE: New Ford passenger cars on the way: could Fiesta and Focus return? MORE: Explore the Ford showroom Content originally sourced from: Ford needs to improve its passenger car offering according to Bill Ford, chair of the automaker his great grandfather Henry Ford founded in 1903. Speaking to Autocar, Mr Ford admitted the brand – which has taken a global approach to go heavy on pickups and SUVs – has neglected passenger cars. "On the passenger car side, we realise we're not as robust as we need to be," Mr Ford told Autocar when asked about a return to passenger cars which made the brand famous the world over. "We're working on our future strategy right now. But I think you'll be surprised – pleasantly surprised – by what's coming." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The company hasn't announced any new passenger cars, nor suggested what area of the passenger car segment – hatchbacks, sedans, wagons or otherwise – it may step back into. A recent trademark filing for the Mach 4 nameplate indicated Ford may be planning to build a sedan version of the Mustang, like that which it reportedly showed to dealers in 2024. The only passenger car currently in the Blue Oval's showrooms Down Under is the Mustang, with 90 per cent of Ford Australia sales made up of the Ranger dual-cab ute and its SUV spinoff, the Everest. In Europe, Ford offers the Focus, but it exits production this year; in China, it has a new generation of Mondeo, which is exported to the Middle East as the Taurus. Earlier this year, Automotive News Europe said Ford global CEO Jim Farley, who reports to Bill Ford, issued a directive to its design and engineering teams to develop passenger cars. Ford of Europe has been responsible for some of its most lauded passenger cars, including the last Fiesta hatch/sedan, Focus hatch/sedan and Mondeo hatch/wagon sold in Australia. Those vehicles – like the Australian-made Falcon – saw their sales (and profitability) fall as SUVs grew in popularity around the world. In Australia, utes have also become hugely popular, with the Toyota HiLux and the Ranger having been at the top of the charts for a decade. Apart from the Mustang, Ford showrooms currently have little to offer driving enthusiasts. This comes despite the brand's impending return to Formula One in 2026 with Red Bull Racing. Mr Farley, a passionate motorsport enthusiast, said late last year Ford would no longer make "boring" cars, hinting at a return to enthusiast and track-focussed models. He suggested the automaker wouldn't simply be making a return to its previous passenger car offering but instead would focus on the strength of its famous nameplates. "We'd always competed at the heart of the passenger-car market, which didn't work out too well for Mondeo, Focus and Fiesta," he told British publication Car. "They were loved by a lot of customers, but they could never justify more capital allocation – unlike commercial vehicles. "Ford never funded enthusiast products – they were always a side business. Now with Mustang, Raptor and Bronco, they're our business." MORE: New Ford passenger cars on the way: could Fiesta and Focus return? MORE: Explore the Ford showroom Content originally sourced from: Ford needs to improve its passenger car offering according to Bill Ford, chair of the automaker his great grandfather Henry Ford founded in 1903. Speaking to Autocar, Mr Ford admitted the brand – which has taken a global approach to go heavy on pickups and SUVs – has neglected passenger cars. "On the passenger car side, we realise we're not as robust as we need to be," Mr Ford told Autocar when asked about a return to passenger cars which made the brand famous the world over. "We're working on our future strategy right now. But I think you'll be surprised – pleasantly surprised – by what's coming." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The company hasn't announced any new passenger cars, nor suggested what area of the passenger car segment – hatchbacks, sedans, wagons or otherwise – it may step back into. A recent trademark filing for the Mach 4 nameplate indicated Ford may be planning to build a sedan version of the Mustang, like that which it reportedly showed to dealers in 2024. The only passenger car currently in the Blue Oval's showrooms Down Under is the Mustang, with 90 per cent of Ford Australia sales made up of the Ranger dual-cab ute and its SUV spinoff, the Everest. In Europe, Ford offers the Focus, but it exits production this year; in China, it has a new generation of Mondeo, which is exported to the Middle East as the Taurus. Earlier this year, Automotive News Europe said Ford global CEO Jim Farley, who reports to Bill Ford, issued a directive to its design and engineering teams to develop passenger cars. Ford of Europe has been responsible for some of its most lauded passenger cars, including the last Fiesta hatch/sedan, Focus hatch/sedan and Mondeo hatch/wagon sold in Australia. Those vehicles – like the Australian-made Falcon – saw their sales (and profitability) fall as SUVs grew in popularity around the world. In Australia, utes have also become hugely popular, with the Toyota HiLux and the Ranger having been at the top of the charts for a decade. Apart from the Mustang, Ford showrooms currently have little to offer driving enthusiasts. This comes despite the brand's impending return to Formula One in 2026 with Red Bull Racing. Mr Farley, a passionate motorsport enthusiast, said late last year Ford would no longer make "boring" cars, hinting at a return to enthusiast and track-focussed models. He suggested the automaker wouldn't simply be making a return to its previous passenger car offering but instead would focus on the strength of its famous nameplates. "We'd always competed at the heart of the passenger-car market, which didn't work out too well for Mondeo, Focus and Fiesta," he told British publication Car. "They were loved by a lot of customers, but they could never justify more capital allocation – unlike commercial vehicles. "Ford never funded enthusiast products – they were always a side business. Now with Mustang, Raptor and Bronco, they're our business." MORE: New Ford passenger cars on the way: could Fiesta and Focus return? MORE: Explore the Ford showroom Content originally sourced from:
