Whincup responds to Lowndes/Triple Eight split

Jamie Whincup responds to Craig Lowndes/Triple Eight split
Lowndes will not renew Triple Eight contract after 2025 season
Hall of Famer claimed Triple Eight's first Supercars win in 2005

Jamie Whincup has responded to Craig Lowndes' decision to depart Triple Eight Race Engineering, hailing the "absolute privilege" to be part of a "journey that's continued much longer than we ever imagined."

Announced Tuesday, Lowndes will not renew his contract with Triple Eight following the conclusion of the 2025 racing season, ending a storied relationship.

Lowndes first joined Triple Eight in 2005, and has won six of his seven Bathurst 1000s with the team.

Three of Whincup's four Bathurst wins came alongside Lowndes, the duo first sharing the podium just weeks after the death of Lowndes' mentor, Peter Brock in 2006.

Whincup and Lowndes were full-time teammates between 2006 and 2018, Whincup winning all of his record seven drivers' championships in that time.

In response to Lowndes' announcement, Whincup paid tribute to his long-time mate, taking fans right back to the start when the now Supercars Hall of Famer won Triple Eight's first race in 2005.

The news comes just weeks after Triple Eight announced it will switch to Ford in 2026.

"Let's all cast our minds back to 2005 when the great Craig Lowndes jumped into a Betta Electrical car, engineered by the late Campbell Little for Triple Eight," now Triple Eight boss Whincup said.

"That deadly combination went on to win Triple Eight's first-ever race at Eastern Creek that year. One of many.

“From race wins to three-peats at the mountain, what an absolute privilege it's been for us to provide you a race car to showcase your skills — a journey that's continued much longer than we ever imagined.

“We can't wait to celebrate this amazing partnership at Bathurst this year and can't thank you enough for the incredible journey. May the Craig Lowndes/Triple Eight highlight reels live on forever."

After retiring in 2018, Lowndes raced alongside Whincup before heading up the team's enduro wildcard.

Whincup took time to reflect on his personal journey with Lowndes, who he has called a teammate for nearly 20 years, adding: “On a personal note, thanks for the ride, mate.

"You have been an incredible teammate, but more importantly, thank you for all the off-track laughs.

"I still can't believe you smacked Jennifer Hawkins in the face trying to release a steering wheel."