Supercars driver market: Who is tied down beyond 2026?

It's now 2026, and the traditional silly season period is still months away. However, some Supercars teams have already locked down drivers to long-term contracts beyond the upcoming season.

Recent years have been headlined by "multi-year" deal announcements, but in recent weeks, leading teams have made a big statement by trumpeting big new contracts and clear expiration dates.

Brodie Kostecki (Dick Johnson Racing) and Kai Allen (Grove Racing) have both signed on until 2030, while Triple Eight Race Engineering locked down both Will Brown and Broc Feeney until 2029.

There are still many variables and unknowns over the 2027 grid. At the time of publication, that includes the futures of the 2025 Supercars champion, and 2025 Bathurst winner.

Supercars.com takes a look at who could have the most impact on the 2027 grid.

Firstly, who’s already in beyond 2026?

Kostecki (2030), Allen (2030), Feeney and Brown (both 2029) are locked in beyond 2028.

Cam Waters and Thomas Randle (both Tickford Racing) have deals through 2027, with one-year options beyond that. James Golding (Blanchard Racing Team), Cameron Hill (Brad Jones Racing) and Jobe Stewart (Erebus Motorsport) are also signed on multi-year deals through at least 2027.

Midway through 2024, Ryan Wood signed an extension with Walkinshaw Andretti United which covers multiple years beyond 2025, meaning he'll likely stay with the Toyota-bound team until at least the end of 2027.

The Chaz factor

New champion Chaz Mostert and Walkinshaw Andretti United go together like bread and butter.

Mostert last signed a “long-term” extension with WAU in late 2023, and is believed to have a year to go on his current contract. After the scenes of Adelaide, the Mostert/WAU partnership looks stronger than ever, and it would be a shock to see that end.

However, surprise speculation made waves either side of Bathurst. As news broke of the Pete Smith-owned SCT license setting sail for Triple Eight, it triggered speculation of who would drive the car. In a wild twist, Mostert was among those connected to the seat.

In May, Mostert affirmed that he would return with WAU in 2026. The SCT rumours surfaced in October, before Mostert shut down the speculation before The Finals. Three rounds later, he was champion.

After winning his first championship with WAU, Mostert reasserted himself as the number one at the team. However, Wood won the qualifying head-to-head, and appeared stronger at times throughout 2025.

Key to Mostert's future is how competitive the new Toyota is in 2026. Regardless, given he is a key part of the WAU family, heading into his seventh season with the team, change would be a surprise.

As 2026 unfolds, could other competitive opportunities be tempting enough to lure Mostert to a change, should he end up looking for a move?

The General circling

Triple Eight’s move to Ford left immediate questions over whether Chevrolet can be a regular challenger for wins in 2026.

However, General Motors wasted no time in making a clear statement that it wants to remain a competitive force. Notably, GM moved quickly to lock down the likes of technical guru Jeromy Moore, Craig Lowndes and engine supplier KRE.

Since the Triple Eight news broke, it's long been an open secret that GM is keen to chase star driver power. Now the 2026 grid is locked in, GM may look to make a move for 2027.

While an allied front between GM teams could conceivably push them all forward in 2026, the jury is out on which driver/s or team/s can lay down the most consistent challenge this season.

GM’s 2026 driver line-up combines for just 19 Supercars wins — nine for Anton De Pasquale, eight for David Reynolds, and two for Jack Le Brocq. Cooper Murray and Declan Fraser have one season under their belts, while Jobe Stewart, Zach Bates and Jayden Ojeda are rookies.

The new Kiwi king

So, with Kostecki, Allen, Feeney, Brown, Waters and Randle extending their contracts, the future of another Ford star in Matt Payne will be a key talking point throughout the new year.

Waters appeared an early target for GM, before he signed for two more seasons with Tickford. With Feeney, Brown, Kostecki and Allen also signing long deals, Payne is understood to be the latest target.

The New Zealander signed a "long-term partnership" with the Grove squad at the end of 2023, which is understood to be through the end of 2027.

Payne’s star rose exponentially in 2025, courtesy of marquee wins in New Zealand, Bathurst and Adelaide. It has helped the Groves so far reap benefits from their investment and faith in Payne, who has been in their system since 2021.

Like Mostert and WAU, Payne and the Groves are a formidable team that has delivered some big results, and change would be a surprise.

Could there be changes?

Mostert and Payne are settled at their teams. Per current contracts, if GM wants Mostert and Payne, it appears it will have to wait until 2027 and 2028 respectively.

Events such as Brown's release from Erebus in 2023, a year before his contract was due to run, have proven that contract curveballs are still possible.

Team 18 exercised a one-year option on David Reynolds for 2026, suggesting there could yet be at least one opening in 2027. However, a run to The Finals in 2026 could see Reynolds continue into 2027, creating further complexity for GM.

Remaining seats with GM teams for 2027 could also open up at Erebus, PremiAir Racing and Matt Stone Racing. Six of 11 Ford seats are sorted through 2027, while Wood and Hill's seats are the only Toyota drives locked in beyond 2026.

Current Supercars driver contracts (as of December 28, 2025)

Per team announcements