Roland Dane says Triple Eight has a plan to replace the fastest Supercars driver, Jamie Whincup, in 2022, but has also warned that the plan could easily change in the coming year.
Whincup will complete the two-decade Supercars driving course, which has won 122 awards and seven titles so far, at the end of the current campaign and replace Dane as T8 team principal.
That will open a full – time driving spot at the power squad for the first time since 2016, when Shane van Gisbergen was signed alongside Whincup and Craig Lowndes as part of a temporary move to three cars.
With Whincup’s transition as a long-term plan with both team and driver, Dane says there is a simultaneous plan for who will replace Whincup in entry # 88.
But he keeps his cards close to his chest for now.
“I always have a plan,” Dane said. “But there are two sides to that. First, it’s a plan that I’m not going to share right now. And secondly it’s a plan that’s flexible.
“I can honestly tell you that we made no decision. But I’ve never been as popular as the last two hours, with people telling me that their contracts mean nothing.
“We will be watching and following our plan carefully this year, to make sure we tick the same boxes we have tried to tick in the past, and to do ensuring that the team is as capable as possible for success.
“That’s our main motivation at every level. I can’t be more open right now, because it’s an ongoing situation. But I can tell you there’s nothing locked in.”
According to Dane it’s not just the established front runners who are on the list of possible candidates.
He says part of the flexible plan is to keep an eye on what’s happening overseas, while an untested young driver – as Whincup was when he was signed by T8 in late 2005 – is also not out of the question.
That leaves the door open for Super8 T8 drivers Broc Feeney and Angelo Mouzouris to enter the conversation.
“We’ll take a look at what’s happening internationally,” Dane said.
“Unfortunately borders are not as open as we would like them to be, but I always thought that Australia and New Zealand alone have not provided good Supercars drivers.
“Young talent is also attractive, as Jamie was back in the day. Just because we are a bigger team than we were in 2006 with a long history now, that doesn’t mean we need someone to join the team that is already a competition winner or race.
“We may choose to do that, but we don’t have to.”
At the same time, Whincup will play an active role in nominating a replacement.
“It’s a big decision for the team,” Whincup said.
“I lead with my experience, I know a good driver when I see one. I will definitely give that feedback [Dane] and the rest of the board on who I think will be the best person to drive the # 88 car.
“In the meantime, I’m just trying to make sure the # 88 car is the most attractive car to drive for any driver to come. [the end] this year.
“We’ll be working through that in the next three or six months.”