Will Brown’s 2026 campaign has been nothing short of a nightmare so far, marking his worst start in years, but the Triple Eight star is refusing to surrender. With just three top 10 finishes in the opening seven races, Brown’s season has been plagued by misfortune and mistakes, including multiple collisions at the Sydney 500 and Melbourne SuperSprint. His one-lap speed has also raised eyebrows, leaving fans and critics wondering if the Australian’s form has dipped for good.
Despite the setbacks, Brown has sparked a glimmer of hope after securing a breakthrough pole position at the Australian Grand Prix finale, ending a staggering 28-race streak of being outqualified by teammate Broc Feeney. That pole was not just a confidence boost but a reminder that Brown’s pace remains formidable when everything clicks into place.
Reflecting on the turbulent start, Brown admitted, “It has been a disappointing start to the season, probably my worst one in years.” But he remains optimistic, pointing to his recent performances as evidence that success is still within reach. “Our pace has not been too bad with a pole and podium at the end of the Grand Prix. We have been running near the front, but stuff has gone wrong with some of my fault and some not. Just need to stay out of the carnage and do a good job.”
Brown is laser-focused on minimizing errors and maximizing preparation to turn his season around. “We concentrate on ourselves and need to do a better job myself, making fewer mistakes,” he said. “We need to make sure we prepare and execute the best we can, and if we do that, we can get good results.”
His recent podium finish reinforced his belief that wins are still on the horizon. “It felt great to get a pole and reminded me I can do it and it’s possible. I was really hoping to get that win, but I made that mistake, which was really disappointing. But second place with good pace proved we can win races and we just need a good weekend.”
Away from the track, Brown has welcomed the chance to regroup, especially with a packed schedule ahead. The upcoming doubleheader in Taupo and Christchurch offers a perfect opportunity to regain momentum. Brown holds mixed memories of Taupo—while he and Feeney battled fiercely for victory in 2024’s inaugural event, last year’s performance was underwhelming despite three top 10 finishes.
“It was such a crazy start to the year with the Bathurst 12-hour followed by the first two rounds, so it has been nice to have a break,” Brown said. “I am pumped for it and to have back to back weekends will be awesome. The racing each year has been really good at Taupo and keen to get to Raupuna.”
He acknowledges the challenge ahead but insists the team is determined to reclaim their form. “We had a great 2024 and the cars were super fast with a fantastic battle with Broc and a win. But last year we were not quite as strong so this year is a bit of a reset. We are putting the work in to get back up the front.”
With the season still young and the pressure mounting, Brown’s resilience and determination could be the catalyst that sparks a remarkable turnaround. The stage is set for a thrilling comeback as he looks to silence doubters and remind the motorsport world why he’s a force to be reckoned with.
