'Excited' Whincup announces family news

Jamie Whincup has announced the expected arrival of his first child with his partner.

Whincup, who will retire from full-time Supercars competition at the end of the season, revealed the news on the Seven Network’s 7th Gear.

The 123-time race winner will enter 2022 not only as Triple Eight Race Engineering’s new Managing Director and Team Principal, but as expecting father.

The baby is due in February 2022, a month before the new season commences in Newcastle.

The 2022 season will be the first since 2004 without Whincup on the grid as a full-time driver.

“Always in the back of my mind I wanted kids, but the timing was never right,” Whincup explained.

“If the timing is right, it’s probably now.

“Very, very excited to be announcing our first child in February."

It comes just weeks after Broc Feeney was confirmed as Whincup's replacement at Triple Eight for the 2022 season.

Whincup's full-time contemporaries Mark Winterbottom, James Courtney, Tim Slade, David Reynolds and Fabian Coulthard are all fathers.

Kelly Grove Racing driver Reynolds celebrated the birth of his first child in January.

Whincup won his 123rd career race in Tasmania in April

Whincup, who also owns and operates car wash and cafe businesses in Queensland, paid tribute to the drivers with children.

“I’m actually thankful that I don’t have to qualify two weeks later," the 38-year-old said.

"I don’t know how all these guys have done it, had kids and race at the same time... I can only do one thing at a time!

“Finish up at the end of this year, start a family the start of next year.

“The timing couldn’t be more perfect."

Whincup will resume his 2021 campaign 276 points adrift of teammate Shane van Gisbergen in Sydney later this month.