James Warburton Steps Down as Supercars CEO in Mutual Split

Racing Australia Consolidated Enterprises Ltd (RACE) announced today, 2 April 2026, that James Warburton has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of Supercars.

The departure, described as a “mutual agreement,” comes less than a year after Warburton returned to lead the category for a second stint in July 2025.

The Chair of RACE, Barclay Nettlefold, has assumed interim executive oversight of the business effective immediately. The executive leadership team will report directly to Nettlefold while a formal recruitment process for a permanent CEO begins.

Executive Perspectives

Barclay Nettlefold, who recently oversaw the $850 million sale of his media business QMS, thanked Warburton for his “energy and commitment.”

“James brought deep experience… and his return was driven by a genuine belief in the sport and its future.” 

“As a Board, we remain focused on maintaining momentum and execution as the organisation moves forward,” Nettlefold said.

Warburton expressed pride in the team’s achievements.

“Supercars is a strong organisation with committed staff, passionate teams and partners, and significant opportunity ahead,” Warburton said.

A Short-Lived Second Tenure

The former CEO of Seven West Media, Warburton, originally led Supercars from 2013 to 2017 before returning to replace Shane Howard last year. His second tenure lasted roughly nine months, a period marked by both strategic momentum and internal friction.

While the official statement cited the “best interests of Supercars as the organisation enters its next phase,” industry insiders point to a build-up of dissatisfaction across several fronts:

• Broadcasting Flashpoints: A public restructure of the TV commentary team—specifically involving legends Neil Crompton and Mark Skaife—served as a significant point of tension.
• Operational Execution: Questions had recently been raised by team owners regarding the speed of decision-making and the CEO’s visibility at events during the opening rounds of the 2026 season.
• Governance Pressures: Despite a warm reception upon his return, the complex ownership structure of RACE reportedly made it difficult for Warburton to execute his broader commercial vision without friction from the board.

Impact on the 2026 Championship

The leadership change takes effect just as the championship prepares to head across the Tasman for the highly anticipated New Zealand double-header.

The timing is critical for Supercars, which is currently exploring a potential Formula 1 wildcard entry for a major star and negotiating its next phase of media and commercial rights.

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