Zak Brown weighs in on Triple Eight/Ford tie-up
Triple Eight/Ford news "shows how competitive" Supercars is, says Zak Brown
Earlier this year, Triple Eight announced blockbuster switch to Ford from 2026
Brown is co-owner of WAU, which is preparing for Toyota switch, also from 2026
Triple Eight's Ford move is the latest sign of the competitive off-track nature of teams and manufacturers, says Walkinshaw Andretti United co-owner Zak Brown.
Triple Eight Race Engineering made global motorsport headlines in January, announcing it will swap General Motors for Ford machinery from 2026.
The move has since set off a chain reaction from GM, which has signed current Triple Eight tech guru Jeromy Moore, secured the exclusive engine services of KRE Race Engines, and called up Triple Eight boss Roland Dane to an advisory role.
20-year Triple Eight driver Craig Lowndes has also opted not to renew his contract, instead choosing to stay in the GM family.
WAU is also embarking on a big journey of its own, preparing to bring Toyota into the championship from next season.
Brown, best known as CEO of McLaren Racing, has been a Director of WAU since 2017.
When asked in Melbourne about the Triple Eight/Ford news, Brown admitted he was surprised, yet quipped that the reigning champions were "replacing" WAU in the Ford family.
"I think it shows how competitive the sport is; all the teams are trying to get what they think will make them the most competitive,” Brown told select media in Melbourne.
"And then of course, all the manufacturers, especially with us going to Toyota. They’re obviously a top team, and I think Ford needed to round out their racing portfolio.
"So, maybe a little surprised where they went, but not surprised they wanted to replace us.”
GM's signing spree is clear intent of the manufacturer's desire to remain at the top of the sport, with GM also considering poaching a star driver from another team.
When asked if there was an element of WAU wanting to lock down its own staff, Brown replied: “We wanna retain as much IP as the team has.
"I think things are going very well and we want to not give away any competitive advantage that we don't have to."
WAU drivers Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood are fourth and 12th, and the team third, heading to the ITM Taupō Super 440 on April 11-13. Tickets for the event are on sale now.
