The biggest unknowns of the 2026 Supercars season

Rarely has there been so little known about an upcoming Supercars season than in the 2025-26 pre-season.

There has been change en masse heading into the 2026 season; new drivers, new manufacturers, an all-new homologation team lineup just to name a few.

In fact, all 12 teams on the grid have experienced some form of change in the off-season, ranging from ownership changes to complete overhauls of driver lineups and manufacturer alliances.

With so much change brings plenty of questions into the new season. Some will be answered immediately, some will take time to be answered.

Here are some of the biggest unknowns heading into the 2026 Repco Supercars Championship.

Can Feeney replicate his 2025 dominance?

It was a generational season last year for Broc Feeney. 14 wins, 20 podiums, and a record-breaking 19 poles are incredible in any Supercars, let alone when the competition is as close as it was this year. However, it was a final day heartbreaker for the 23-year-old, who literally watched Chaz Mostert drive away with the championship. As the saying goes, you have to lose one to win one, and drivers are wary of just how much stronger the setback will make him in the long run. If Feeney goes on another tear in 2026, it could set him up for a Whincup-like era of domination.

Can Toyota shine from the outset?

The arrival of the Toyota GR Supra is undoubtedly a massive moment for Supercars, but the time for talk is nearly over. The Japanese marque have a strong driver group leading their Supercars debut, with reigning champion Chaz Mostert leading the way for Walkinshaw TWG Racing. Teammate Ryan Wood and Brad Jones Racing recruit Cameron Hill were also race winners last year, Andre Heimgartner has been BJR’s talisman since 2022, whilst Macauley Jones also recorded career best results last season. They have the drivers for the job, but do they have the car?

Can Triple Eight hit the ground running with Ford?

After 16 seasons winning race after race with General Motors, Triple Eight is making the jump to the Blue Oval. Make no mistake, it’s a big change for the team, which is now Ford’s homologation team, is building three new cars, and is also taking on the Ford engine program. Triple Eight has runs on the board as a three-car team, when Craig Lowndes moved into an additional entry to facilitate Shane van Gisbergen’s arrival. The game has changed since then, though, and the shift to a new manufacturer will come with a learning curve. However, never, ever sleep on a team that has 13 teams' championships, 11 drivers’ championships, and 10 Bathurst wins.

Can Wood turn bad luck into consistent performance?

Of the five Toyota drivers, Wood is perhaps the one who has the most to prove. That might sound harsh, given he was arguably the revelation of the season last year, but 10th in the championship wasn't representative of his blinding speed. Walkinshaw will be the first to admit that mechanical woes really hampered his season, however the Kiwi's copybook certainly wasn't clean. If both team and driver can take another step forward, Wood could be Toyota's leader for years to come.

Which new homologation/team alliance will shine brightest?

Walkinshaw’s new link-up with Toyota is part of a wholesale change in the homologation team ranks for 2026. Triple Eight sensationally crossed back to the blue side of the traditional Ford vs GM rivalry, whilst Team 18 will step up to the plate as Chevrolet's homologation team. All have their question marks, the biggest of which is around Walkinshaw and Toyota as mentioned above. Triple Eight have opened up an in-house engine shop and will also prepare a third car for SCT Motorsport, whilst Team 18 will be desperate to add to their single win from Darwin 2023.

Can Waters and Tickford put a whole season together?

When Cam Waters and Tickford swept all before them to open the season nearly 12 months ago, it seemed as though it was finally his year. Yet, he wouldn't win another race for the rest of the year, and he enters the new year still chasing that first championship and Bathurst wins. At his best, he's unstoppable, but can he and Tickford do that for 14 rounds and 37 races?

Which teams will lead the charge at the New Zealand Double Header?

Teams will be pushed to their limits in April with the first ever New Zealand Double Header. Teams will be without their usual transporter setups, only having whatever they can store in a shipping container for the two weeks, including limited spares. The only other overseas double header was in 2010, when the season started with a Middle Eastern swing through Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. There is also a new circuit to deal with in Ruapuna in Christchurch, which could spring some big surprises.

Will Payne remain with Groves?

It's become one of the key storylines to emerge in the pre-season, but Matt Payne could be facing a big decision in coming weeks. General Motors are thought to have made a play for the defending Bathurst winner, as their search for a big name driver continues. Penrite Racing have locked down Kai Allen until 2030, safeguarding one half of their driver lineup. Should Payne depart, it will be a huge move, given Grove Racing took him through the ranks. Watch this space.

Will DJR improve without homologation duties?

Perhaps flying under the radar amid all the changes unfolding around the paddock is Dick Johnson Racing entering the new year without homologation duties, with all their focus on the two Shell V-Power Mustangs. Brodie Kostecki proved why he’s one of the very best in his first season with three race wins, and he will only get stronger as he continues to make DJR his own.

Is De Pasquale the man for GM?

Amid GM's public search for a star driver, Anton De Pasquale entered the fray and was quietly impressive in his first year at Team 18. Now, he leads the factory team, an experience he knows all too well from his four-year stint at DJR. That experience could prove invaluable for driver, team, and manufacturer as they step into the large shadow cast by Triple Eight. De Pasquale will be the top dog at GM this year, and if he wins races, could establish his authority into 2027.

The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of Supercars, teams or drivers.