After retiring from full-time competition at the end of 2021, Jamie Whincup embarked on a new chapter in 2022 as CEO of Triple Eight Race Engineering. Although his focus shifted to leading the championship-winning organisation, Whincup’s competitive fire remained as strong as ever, returning to the cockpit alongside rookie Broc Feeney for the Bathurst 1000.
Throughout the season, Whincup played a pivotal role in guiding Feeney through his debut campaign with Red Bull Ampol Racing. Having handed over the iconic #88 Commodore at the end of 2021, he now mentored the young Queenslander from the pit wall while helping Triple Eight defend its position at the front of the field. Under Whincup’s leadership, Shane van Gisbergen claimed a third Supercars Championship, while Feeney developed into one of the sport’s brightest young talents in his rookie season.
The Bathurst 1000 marked Whincup’s only competitive appearance of the year and his first race as a co-driver in nearly two decades. Paired with Feeney, the two formed one of the event’s most anticipated combinations, bringing together Triple Eight’s past and future in the famous #88 Holden Commodore. Despite adapting to life as a co-driver and driving a car tailored to Feeney’s preferences, Whincup immediately showed he had lost none of his speed, finishing among the fastest co-drivers during practice and helping position the team as genuine contenders.
On race day, Whincup and Feeney remained firmly in contention throughout much of the Great Race. They ran inside the leading group for long periods before ultimately finishing fifth, delivering a strong result in Feeney’s Bathurst debut as a full-time Supercars driver. While a podium eluded them, the performance demonstrated that Whincup’s race craft and experience remained invaluable, even in a part-time role.
Although 2022 featured just a single race start, it proved to be one of the most significant years of Whincup’s career. His successful transition from champion driver to team leader ensured Triple Eight remained the benchmark of the Supercars Championship, while his mentorship of Broc Feeney helped lay the foundations for the next generation of success. By balancing leadership with co-driving, Whincup demonstrated that his influence on the sport extended well beyond his own driving career.
