David Cauchi returns to the hot seat with Triple Eight on Tuesday
Decorated engineer to take over duties on Will Brown's #888 Mustang
Cauchi left Penrite Racing Team Principal post at end of 2025 season
David Cauchi returns to the hot seat with Triple Eight on Tuesday, amid his own business career outside of motorsport.
The decorated engineer’s surprise return to Red Bull Ampol Racing was announced on Sunday, with Cauchi to skipper Will Brown’s #888 Mustang, taking over from the promoted Andrew Edwards.
Cauchi will work alongside Brown and co-driver Scott Pye at Tuesday’s all-in enduro test at Queensland Raceway, before making his competitive return at The Bend.
Then based in Melbourne, the title-winning engineer left his Penrite Racing Team Principal post at the end of 2025, having led the team to Bathurst victory last October.
He moved to Brisbane, and is currently chief operating officer for DMH Group, which owns and operates Bridgestone stores across Queensland.
Cauchi will remain part of the DMH family, dovetailing those responsibilities with his Triple Eight role.
"I made the decision mid-way through last year to return to Brisbane, where I’ve been enjoying a full-time role outside of motorsport,” Cauchi said.
"When Jamie [Whincup] called asking if I’d return to my motorsport home, as race engineer for car #888 on a part-time basis, it’s simply an opportunity that’s very hard to turn down.
“I’d like to thank Jamie, and also Will, Andrew and everyone at Triple Eight for the opportunity to have me back, and equally thank my new employer, Damien [Meneguzzo] from DMH Group, for allowing me the flexibility for a return stint at Triple Eight.”
Cauchi made a quiet return trackside in June, guiding Cameron McLeod and Mason Harvey at the GT4 Australia round at Queensland Raceway in June.
That was his first time at a race track since Adelaide last year, when Matt Payne won the last race of the 2025 Supercars season.
He has otherwise kept a low profile, but was a social figure amongst garages on Sunday as he watched on with Triple Eight.
There, he watched Broc Feeney power to an unlikely Sprint Cup victory, as Triple Eight continued its big return to form ahead of the business end of the season.
Still, despite his experience, Cauchi is well aware of being thrown into the deep end, adding: “It’ll be a baptism of fire, straight into Enduro Cup part of the season but I can’t wait to work with Will, as well as some new and many old teammates.”
The 2026 season resumes at The Bend on September 11-13.
