Supercars 2026: Toyota arrives, Feeney seeks revenge, a great season ahead?

Chaz Mostert will defend his title driving a Toyota

Crowned champion last year at the final Adelaide meeting, Chaz Mostert took over a decade to finally clinch the title he had so long dreamed of. While he won the crown driving a Ford Mustang, it was with the brand new Toyota The Supra is the car he will be competing in this year. The challenge is significant for the Melbourne native. Entering a new car in a championship as competitive as Supercars can feel like climbing a mountain. His team, Walkinshaw TWG Racing (the new name since Zak Brown's departure from United), has prepared well. Following a long development campaign, the Supra will make its racing debut on February 20th at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Mostert won't be the only one getting a taste of a new car. Triple Eight Engineering will also be debuting its new Ford Mustang. After a 15-year hiatus, the Brisbane-based team is returning to its roots. Triple Eight was the official Ford Mustang team from 2003 to 2009. This collaboration was crowned with numerous successes before the move to the GM group with Holden and then Chevrolet. This return to Ford comes as the official team of the American manufacturer. The ambition is enormous for the Brisbane team, which will have a tough task to reclaim the drivers' title it lost last year. Broc Feeney and Will Brown only recently got their first look at their new car. The start of the season could be tricky, but there's little doubt they'll quickly be among the favorites.

An even more open competition

Since the departures of Scott McLaughlin and Shane van Gisbergen to theIndyCar and NASCARAustralian Supercars is entering a new era. This season marks the third year of the Gen4 class of cars competing in the series. On the driver front, a new wave of talent continues to emerge. The standard-bearer of this generation is none other than Broc Feeney, who racked up victories in 2025. However, the title eluded him due to a playoff system that was unfavorable to him. This dynamic is increasing the depth of the grid, where everyone has a real shot at victory. In 2025, despite Feeney's dominance, ten different drivers won the 34 races held. The move of Triple Eight and Walkinshaw TWG to new manufacturers could further broaden the field in 2026.

However, the trend seems to favor Feeney, who immediately found his rhythm behind the wheel of the Mustang. He is once again a major benchmark for the entire field, determined to challenge last season's Sprint race winner.

Regarding the calendar, the championship will be divided into three distinct parts: the first nine rounds (Sydney, Melbourne, Taupo, Christchurch, Tasmania, Darwin, Townsville, Perth, Ipswich) make up the Sprint season. From the 10th round onwards, The Bend and the Bathurst 1000km form the Cup. EnduranceThe final three meetings will serve as the championship grand final (Gold Coast, Sandown 500, and Adelaide). A top-10 finish in the championship standings is required to qualify for this final playoff phase.

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Who to follow in 2026?

Favorites ***

Broc Feeney (Triple Eight Engineering)
Third in the 2025 season despite a record-breaking year, Broc Feeney is once again the overwhelming favorite. Seeking redemption and well-prepared, the 2021 Super2 champion will be determined to leave no chance for his rivals. Even though he's getting to grips with a new car, the Gold Coast driver seems more ready than ever to clinch the first title of his career. However, he must be careful not to confuse speed with haste, as has sometimes been the case in recent seasons.

Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw TWG Racing)
Freed from the burden of his first championship win, Chaz Mostert puts his title on the line with a sense of accomplishment. He knows the task will be difficult due to the level of competition, but also because his 2026 car is relatively new. The Toyota Supra will face the ultimate test of the competition. The Japanese manufacturer can nevertheless count on the 2025 champion to make its coupe shine from its very first laps.

Will Brown (Triple Eight Engineering)
Struggling in 2025, Will Brown himself admits to having missed his season. The successor to SvG intends to bounce back in 2026. The arrival of the Ford Mustang could give him a new lease on life. It remains to be seen whether he'll be strong enough to handle the fierce ambition of his young teammate, Broc Feeney. Brown knows he holds the keys to his success, provided he gets his approach in order.

Matt Payne (Whole grained racing)
A revelation in the 2025 season, with five victories including the prestigious Bathurst 1000km, Matt Payne is aiming even higher this year. The element of surprise is no longer in his favor, but he should be among the major contenders in the championship.

Things to watch out for this season **

Ryan Wood (Walkinshaw TWG Racing)
Another major revelation of last season, Ryan Wood, secured his first victory in his debut in the premier class. At times nervous, he made a few costly mistakes, but also demonstrated a real ability to compete with the elite of the field.

Brodie Kostecki (Dick Johnson Racing)
The 2023 champion seems to have definitively put his difficulties from 2024 and the beginning of the 2025 season behind him. A new recruit for Dick Johnson Racing, Kostecki took the time to adapt to his Ford Mustang. His impressive end to the season saw him among the seven drivers still in contention for the title. At the peak of his form, he represents a serious threat to Feeney, Brown, and Mostert.

Kai Allen (Grove Racing)
Matt Payne's young teammate is also a serious contender for the top spots. With four podium finishes in 2025, Allen is now aiming for the next level. Within a team where he feels fully supported, the 20-year-old driver could spring a surprise.

Cam Waters (Tickford Racing)
A victim of his own impetuousness, Cam Waters had an inconsistent season last year. While he was among the title contenders, he failed to live up to expectations. He will be eager to bounce back in 2026 by showing more consistency.

The surprises of the year *

Anton De Pasquale (Team 18)
The former Ford factory driver for DJR had a disappointing first season last year in the Team 18 Camaro (2 podiums and 4 top-five finishes in 34 races). Anton will be eager to carry Chevrolet's hopes in 2026, as his team has achieved official status with the American manufacturer.

Thomas Randle (Tickford Racing)
Randle, Waters' teammate, tried several things last year, but they weren't always successful. He only reached the podium twice. The 2026 season looks like an opportunity for redemption. He'll need to take his game to the next level to compete with the best.