Insight, vision revealed into Whincup’s 'special' USA mission

Jamie Whincup has stepped behind the wheel of a Gen3 Ford Supercar in the United States amid a series of demonstration runs.

Red Bull Ampol Racing boss Whincup, who missed last month’s ITM NZ Double Header, travelled to the US to take part in a special series in a Supercar.

Across recent days, vision has been revealed of a Red Bull Ampol 2026 race-liveried Gen3 Ford lapping the Homestead-Miami Speedway, which will host this year’s NASCAR Cup Series finale.

Tongues were set wagging last week when Whincup — who won’t contest this year’s Bathurst 1000 — teased he was taking part in a "special mission”.

That was later revealed as laps in a Gen3 Ford — originally built by Dick Johnson Racing, now based in the US — as Miami celebrated its Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The same car was driven by four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen at the start of the year, also in Red Bull colours.

The Ford — which carried Whincup's name and the #88 — was captured leading a group of Red Bull-liveried Formula 3 cars in what appeared a filming session with camera cars, before Whincup completed hot laps.

The tie-up came as part of the Red Bull Driver Seat initiative, with athletes and influencers stepping in different race and road cars. Notably, vision hot laps were shared to major US publication People, which has over 14 million Instagram followers.

Red Bull Ampol Racing has since shared onboard vision of Whincup behind the wheel with a passenger, with the Gen3 Mustang lapping Homestead-Miami’s road course.

Whincup has stepped back from Supercars co-driving in 2026, but recently sampled a Triple Eight Ford in ride and shakedown days at Queensland Raceway.

The 2026 Repco Supercars Championship resumes in Tasmania on May 22-24.