Speedcafe broke the news this morning that Warburton would leave the company, effective immediately, less than a year into his much-trumpeted return.
Into his place, for now at least, steps Barclay Nettlefold, who has acted as chairman for the business since stitching together a consortium to buy it in 2021.
Nettlefold informed team owners of the development this morning before briefing staff across Supercars’ Sydney and Gold Coast offices at midday.
Warburton was by that time already out of the Sydney building. There were a few personal goodbyes, but no address to the staff at large.
It was swift, unusual and shocking. So what was behind it?
Warburton’s biggest challenge upon returning to Supercars last year was always going to be dealing with the current board structure.
During his previous tenure, Warburton reported to a board made up of representatives from a hands-off majority owner, private equity firm Archer Capital, and the teams.
The current board is led by Nettlefold, who like Warburton, has a background in media and sports administration.
A potential for conflict with two roosters in one henhouse was clear from the outset and has, evidently, been occurring for some time.
Speedcafe understands Warburton approached the board over a month ago to air his position that the situation was not working and he needed to be allowed more autonomy.
Discussions since appear to have gone nowhere and the situation essentially became untenable. A mutual split was the only outcome and one that leaves a whole range of questions.
At the moment the only answer is that Melbourne-based Nettlefold is taking over while Supercars starts the process of searching for a new CEO.
The Warburton bombshell dropped just a day after the sale of Nettlefold’s business, QMS Media, to Nine for $850 million officially went through.
Nettlefold has essentially operated in the background of Supercars since leading the buyout consortium five years ago.
Maybe he will see this as his time to take the wheel and the limelight that comes with the CEO role.
The reaction in the industry to Warburton’s exit has been largely one of shock and disappointment.
There’s no question that Warburton brought a sense of energy and excitement back to the sport from the moment he was reappointed.
Suddenly the air has come out of the ballon and there is a feeling of unease and uncertainty.
Warburton’s brief second tenure at the helm of Supercars will be remembered for the axing of TV commentators Neil Crompton and Mark Skaife.
It was a polarising move that proved messy in its delivery and may well have, in a tangential way, contributed to his downfall.
But it was predicated on an ambition to drive the sport forward and stands as a reminder that Warburton is an agent of change.
With Warburton’s exit the sport has lost its biggest salesman with a record as a performer on the balance sheet and in the media.
Warburton has not shied away from his ambitions and was not afraid to push them out publicly, at least when the agenda suited.
The recent Wollongong street race plan is a case in point, as is the conversation in the last 24 hours around getting F1 star Liam Lawson into a Supercar.
Both helped Warburton’s quest to keep the sport in the spotlight between events, whether they end up happening or not.
Actions that were taken, such as instigating a documentary on the 2025 Finals Series, had knock-on effects too.
Broc Feeney turning his back on the trailer at the season launch was an unplanned but unmissable way to kick-off 2026 that built genuine interest.
The sport must now digest the news of Warburton’s departure while it faces the uncertainty of a fuel crisis that may require stronger leadership than ever.
One can only hope Warburton’s exit is not looked upon in years to come as a pivotal moment for a championship that had appeared to be roaring its way back towards mainstream relevance.
This article first appeared on Speedcafe.com, a sister site to MotorRacing.com.