Supercars is hunting for a new chief executive again after James Warburton sensationally stepped down from the category’s top job after less than a year in the role for what one pundit claimed was trying to disrupt the “old boys’ club”.
In a major shock that came just two rounds into the 2026 season, Supercars announced on Thursday Warburton’s second stint in the position had come to an abrupt end.
Supercars said in a statement Warburton’s departure was “reached by mutual agreement and was considered to be in the best interests of Supercars as the organisation enters its next phase”.
Barclay Nettlefold, the chair of Racing Australia Consolidated Enterprises, which owns Supercars, will take over as interim chief executive.
It’s understood there were differences of opinion between Warburton and the Supercars board over the direction of the sport.
Warburton’s departure comes just a week out from the start of Supercars’ first New Zealand double-header in Taupo and Christchurch.
Supercars co-driver and podcaster Scott Pye said Warburton’s departure was a blow for the sport, saying he had been trying to disrupt the “old boys’ club”.
“Right now I don’t see any positives in this,” Pye said in a social media video on his Apex Hunters’ United account.
“I don’t think Warbo was part of the old boys’ club, I think he was trying to disrupt it and I think that’s created the problem we are seeing.
“I do hope whatever RACE do next, they select an independent CEO going forward and actually empower them and allow them to make decisions, hopefully for the betterment of the sport.
“We’ll see what RACE do from here …. I think if we go backwards and select anyone with a pre-existing relationship to the old boys’ club then we’re going to be in trouble.
“Because we have seen the sport has not made enough progress in the past 20 years so something has got to change.”
Warburton was appointed Supercars chief executive for the second time last May, replacing Shane Howard, who moved into a new role as Director – Motorsport with the category.
He previously served as Supercars chief executive from 2013 to 2017.
Warburton led APN Outdoor through a transformation and sale and also served as chief executive officer of Seven West Media for four-and-a-half years in his time between his stints in charge of Supercars.
He had been charged with reinvigorating the sport and taking it to generation next.
He led a shake-up, headlined by an overhaul of the broadcast team, which included moving on long-time commentators Neil Crompton and Mark Skaife.
“Supercars is a strong organisation with committed staff, passionate teams and partners, and significant opportunity ahead,” Warburton said in the statement announcing his exit.
“I’m proud of what the team has achieved and the momentum that we have built for the sport in a short period of time.
“I wish the RACE Board, our staff and the broader Supercars community every future success for this great sport.”
Supercars said the board would now commence a formal process to appoint a new chief executive officer.
“On behalf of the board, I want to sincerely thank James Warburton for his leadership and contribution to Supercars,” Nettlefold said.
“James brought deep experience, energy and commitment to the role, and his return to the business was driven by a genuine belief in the sport and its future.
“We are grateful for the work he has done over the last year and wish him every success in his next endeavour. As a board, we remain focused on maintaining momentum and execution as the organisation moves forward.”