Triple Eight announces surprise David Cauchi coup

Decorated Supercars figure David Cauchi will make a surprise return to Triple Eight Race Engineering, less than a year after departing Penrite Racing.

In a shock new twist to the growing Triple Eight/Grove Racing rivalry, long-time Triple Eight engineer turned Grove Racing Team Principal Cauchi will return to Supercars.

Announced Sunday, Cauchi has signed on as Will Brown’s new engineer from The Bend onwards, with Triple Eight promoting Andrew Edwards to the Head of Performance role.

Edwards skippered Brown to a drought breaking victory on Saturday at Queensland Raceway, and moves into the performance role after four and a half years race engineering for Triple Eight. Edwards led Shane van Gisbergen to title glory in 2022, and Bathurst wins in 2022 and 2023. He then led Brown to the 2024 championship.

Edwards fills the role left vacant after Peter Ringwood took over from Jeromy Moore as Technical Director.

Cauchi, meanwhile, returns to Triple Eight, where he filled various roles — notably as title-winning engineer — between 2007 and 2021. He will commence work with Brown at Tuesday’s pre-enduro test day.

Triple Eight Team Principal Jamie Whincup said: "We've been looking to build engineering depth at Triple Eight for some time now, and when you have both the opportunity and someone you know is 100% the right person for it you have to make that move - life is about taking those opportunities.

"We're excited to announce that as of Monday following the Queensland Raceway round Andrew Edwards will be promoted to the role of Head of Performance at Triple Eight, a role previously filled by our current Technical Director Peter Ringwood.

"This is a proud moment for everyone here at Triple Eight. Andrew is and has been for such a long time a key part of the business, the team and what we do so we're thrilled he's agreed to take on this challenge — there isn't a better engineer for this role.

"We are equally excited to announce that a familiar face in David Cauchi is back in our garage as Race Engineer on the #888 car driven by Will Brown [and Scott Pye for the Enduro Cup] for the remainder of the 2026 Supercars season.

“Cauchi started his apprenticeship here, has celebrated championships with this team, and his experience in the sport is up there with the best. “It's about strengthening our engineering resources and process. That's our key objective and we're excited at what both Andrew and Cauchi can bring to these roles."

Cauchi’s exit from Penrite Racing, where he carried Team Principal duties between 2022 and 2025, coincided with a move back to Brisbane after a stint in Melbourne.

Remarkably, it adds another element to the story, given Cauchi’s initial move to the Grove squad kicked off a legal spat between the two teams.

Cauchi said: “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. When Jamie 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 spent 14 years at Triple Eight, seven of those as JDub’s Race Engineer, experienced many incredible highs and of course, some lows along the way. I’m both excited and grateful for the opportunity.

“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.

“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.”