Chaz Mostert chats the 2026 Supercars season in the leadup to Darwin Triple Crown

The 2026 Repco Supercars Championship has quickly emerged as one of the most compelling seasons in recent memory, driven by a wave of change across the grid. The highly anticipated arrival of Toyota has added a new dimension to the competition, setting up a three-way manufacturer battle with long-time rivals Ford and Chevrolet. As a result, fans have been treated to closer racing, evolving team dynamics, and a season that feels more open and competitive than it has in years.

As partners of Walkinshaw TWG Racing, we’re excited for Chaz Mostert, winner of the 2025 season and driver of the Mobil 1 Optus Racing Toyota GR Supra, as the season heads to the Darwin Triple Crown for the Indigenous Round.

So, we saw it as the perfect opportunity to sit down with Chaz and chat through the season so far, as well as the team’s strategy for the remainder of the year. The Tasmania Super440 in May marked Chaz’s first win of the championship, and we’re incredibly proud to have such a standout driver representing Optus teal.

Chaz: This year, especially the beginning half of the year is all about development of the new car. The whole team from engineers to mechanics and even us drivers, are learning a whole new car.

Essentially, we are three years behind on development of the Toyota GR Supra against the two other manufacturers in the category and to be getting race wins and podiums this early in the year is a massive credit to the entire Walkinshaw TWG Racing Team.

Chaz: The Toyota GR Supra has some similarities and differences to previous manufacturers we have run. The engine characteristics are slightly different, and the aero package is completely new. The tool kit that we used in 2023 – 2025 is entirely different, so we are playing with a whole new set of ‘if’s and thens’ which means we are always testing and learning different set-ups to see how they impact the performance of the car.

Chaz: This year we have three races across a weekend in the SuperSprint series, which means we have very little time between on track sessions to make changes to our cars. Our mechanics are the absolute superheroes in our Team who work non-stop over the weekend to make sure we can go out on track and be competitive.

Chaz: I can’t give away our biggest secrets, but honestly, this entire year has been one big learning curve. We started the year with no data on how our Toyota GR Supra would perform on track, we didn’t know what impact each set-up change would have on the car either. To now be five rounds in and already having podiums and race wins, is nothing short of impressive from the whole team.

The hard work doesn’t stop here though, the boys and girls at Walkinshaw TWG Racing are always trying to continually improve, we have a lot more to learn and develop to make sure we are fighting for the Championship win at the end of the year.

Chaz: Bathurst is definitely the event I most look forward to each year, it’s one of the most complex tracks in the world, you need everything to go perfect on the day to even have a shot at winning it.

I have Fabian Coulthard back behind the Mobil 1 Optus Racing No. 1 this year, we always have so much fun together off track but when it’s time to get behind the wheel, the helmet goes on and it’s full focus.

Chaz: I love being a part of the Optus Digital Thumbprint program, it’s so important to learn from a young age how to behave online. Being able to speak to thousands of kids across the country about online safety, something that is important to me, is really special. Learning about online safety and how to be respectful online are key skills to learn from a young age to ensure a more enjoyable online experience.

As Optus marks five years partnering with the team, it’s about more than just the racing — it’s about the unique moments and meaningful connections this partnership makes possible. From behind-the-scenes access to on-the-ground experiences in Tasmania, we’re proud to create opportunities for fans and local communities to get closer to the team and the sport.

Our commitment to Walkinshaw TWG Racing is grounded in a genuine passion for community. Through Supercars — one of Australia’s most iconic sporting platforms — we’re proud to help bring families, friends and fans together, both at the track and beyond.

The Darwin Triple Crown kicks off at Hidden Valley Raceway over June 19 – 21.

Chaz will be our special guest at the Digital Thumbprint Virtual National Event for Bullying No Way Week, 19th August. Primary school students will learn about being kind and respectful online, how to seek help if they or a friend are a victim of cyberbullying, and get to ask Chaz questions about his experiences on the race track.

We’re also back in Darwin for the week from 31 August. Our facilitators will be in various schools educating around 1,500 secondary students on digital safety topics including Gen AI, scams and cybercrime, and cyberbullying.

For any school unable to participate in these opportunities, we also offer digital interactive workshops for primary and secondary students, covering topics from staying safe on games and apps, to Gen AI. These are an always on opportunity and like all Digital Thumbprint workshops, are free for schools and students.