Triple Eight Race Engineering Shifts Will Brown to Spare Chassis
Triple Eight Race Engineering will move driver Will Brown into an unused spare chassis, identified as 888A-070, following a series of qualifying struggles for the reigning Supercars champion. The decision comes after the Perth SuperSprint, where Brown failed to qualify in the top 10 for any of the three races, contrasting with teammate Broc Feeney’s pole position success on Sunday.
Technical Rationale Behind the Chassis Swap
The transition to the 888A-070 chassis is part of a broader technical evaluation by the Red Bull Ampol team. According to team principal Jamie Whincup, the move is intended to address performance deficits that do not align with the driver’s known capability. Whincup stated that the team is “throwing the kitchen sink at it” to ensure the #888 car returns to the front of the field.
This specific chassis has a unique history within the team. It was the first Mustang built by Triple Eight last year and was initially sent to the United States for off-season wind tunnel testing. Whincup conducted a shakedown of the vehicle at Queensland Raceway in February, and it was also driven by Daniel Ricciardo at Calder Park prior to the Australian Grand Prix.
Did you know?
Chassis 888A-070 is not just a replacement car; it served as a primary development tool for the team’s transition to the Ford Mustang platform, including high-profile testing sessions with Daniel Ricciardo.
Performance Context in the 2024 Season
While the Red Bull Ampol squad regained front-running pace in Perth following difficult rounds in Darwin and Townsville, Brown’s qualifying consistency has remained a point of focus. Over the past two seasons, Brown has faced recurring challenges in single-lap speed. His 19th-place grid slot in the Perth finale serves as a primary example of these recent qualifying hurdles.
Despite these grid position issues, Brown currently holds seventh place in the overall Supercars standings. The team maintains that the current performance slump is an outlier, with Whincup confirming that the entire organization is “1000 percent behind Will and his crew” as they prepare for the upcoming event at Ipswich.
Long-Term Technical Learning Programs
The chassis test is not an isolated incident but part of a wider learning program at Triple Eight. The team is currently executing a development roadmap as part of its ongoing transition to the Ford Mustang platform, which will continue to evolve through 2026. By utilizing the spare chassis, the team aims to gather more data to refine its car setup and minimize the qualifying gap between its two entries.
Pro Tip:
When teams shift to a spare chassis, it is rarely just about mechanical issues. Often, it is a data-gathering exercise to rule out subtle geometry or build-related variables that are difficult to isolate on a primary race car during a busy race weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Triple Eight switching Will Brown to a different car?
The team is moving Brown to the spare 888A-070 chassis to address recurring qualifying pace issues that have hampered his performance relative to his teammate, Broc Feeney.
Has this chassis been raced before?
No, the 888A-070 chassis is unraced. It was built for wind tunnel testing in the U.S. and has only been used for shakedown and promotional testing purposes, including sessions with Jamie Whincup and Daniel Ricciardo.
What is the goal of this change?
The team aims to eliminate performance variables and ensure Brown’s car is capable of racing at the front of the field, as part of a larger technical learning program leading into the 2026 season.
What are your thoughts on the mid-season chassis swap? Does a change in equipment solve qualifying issues, or is it a deeper setup challenge? Let us know in the comments below.
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