In a move that has sent shockwaves through the racing community, PremiAir Racing has abruptly parted ways with Richie Stanaway, effective immediately, following the Gold Coast 500. But here's where it gets controversial—despite Stanaway's claims of a two-year deal, the team had already planned to replace him for the 2026 season as part of a broader driver reshuffle. This sudden exit leaves fans and analysts alike questioning the timing and transparency of the decision. And this is the part most people miss: while Stanaway's departure was expected at the end of 2025, the immediate split raises eyebrows about what transpired behind closed doors.
PremiAir Racing issued a statement confirming the news: 'Following discussions with Richie Stanaway after the Gold Coast 500, he will step away from the team with immediate effect, bringing his time with PremiAir Racing to an early conclusion.' The team reiterated that Stanaway's contract for 2026 was not renewed, paving the way for Jayden Ojeda and Declan Fraser to take over as full-time drivers next season. These two recruits, already announced for 2026, are the frontrunners to fill Stanaway's seat for the remaining 2025 rounds—Sandown and Adelaide. The team assured fans that a replacement would be named soon, emphasizing their focus on maintaining momentum for the upcoming season.
In a heartfelt note, PremiAir thanked Stanaway for his contributions and wished him success in future endeavors. However, the Kiwi driver's reaction was one of shock and resignation. At the Gold Coast 500, Stanaway conceded that his full-time Supercars career was likely over, a stark contrast to his earlier determination to stay in the sport. His journey has been anything but smooth—struggling with full-time campaigns at Tickford Racing and Garry Rogers Motorsport in 2018-19, retiring, and then rebuilding through wildcard entries and co-drives. PremiAir had offered him a lifeline after Grove Racing's mid-season decision to sign Kai Allen for 2025.
Stanaway, however, remains optimistic about his future, expressing a desire to continue as a co-driver—a role in which he has tasted success, including wins at the 2017 Sandown 500 and the 2023 Bathurst 1000. But here’s the burning question: Did PremiAir handle this situation fairly, or was Stanaway unfairly sidelined? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark differing opinions.
