Even if you don’t follow Supercars, the name Craig Lowndes has a way of coming up. For years it meant Bathurst glory and championship trophies, but lately the headlines have been about a separation that took many fans by surprise.
Bathurst 1000 wins: 7 ·
Supercars Championships: 3 ·
Age (2025): 50 ·
Children: 2 ·
Current team: Triple Eight ·
First full season: 1996
Quick snapshot
- Married to Lara McDonald (separated 2025) (Speedcafe (motorsport news outlet))
- Two children (Supercars (official championship site))
- Born 21 June 1974 in Melbourne (Supercars (official championship site))
- Full-time Supercars debut in 1996 (Supercars (official championship site))
- Current driver for Triple Eight (Red Bull Ampol Racing (official team site))
- Three Supercars Championships (Supercars (official championship site))
- 7 Bathurst 1000 wins (Supercars (official championship site))
- 2 Bathurst 12 Hour wins (Craig Lowndes Official Site)
- 5 Barry Sheene Medals (DriverDB (racing statistics database))
- Still actively racing in 2025 (Red Bull Ampol Racing (official team site))
- Announced separation from Lara McDonald in September 2025 (Speedcafe (motorsport news outlet))
- Continues to appear as TV commentator (Supercars (official championship site))
Are Craig Lowndes and his wife separated?
When did the separation occur?
In September 2025, Craig Lowndes publicly confirmed that he and his wife Lara had separated. The announcement came through a statement reported by Speedcafe (motorsport news outlet), which said the couple would continue to work together positively. Lowndes asked for privacy and indicated there would be no further comment.
Who is Lara McDonald?
Lara McDonald is the mother of Lowndes’s two children. The couple married in December 2015, as confirmed by Speedcafe (motorsport news outlet). Earlier reports from 2021, covered by Yahoo Sports Australia (news coverage), revealed that Lowndes had been involved in a three-year online affair that nearly ended the marriage.
The separation statement in 2025 mirrors the careful crisis management seen in 2021: a joint request for privacy, an emphasis on continuing to work together, and no details on the cause. For a driver whose brand relies on both professional and personal stability, the timing — just months after signing a milestone contract — raises questions about how much the off-track turbulence affects his on-track focus.
The pattern suggests the separation is being handled strategically to minimise professional damage.
Is Craig Lowndes still racing?
What team does he race for?
Lowndes continues to race for Triple Eight Race Engineering, a team he has been with since 2005. In 2024, he signed a two-year contract extension through the end of the 2025 season, described by Red Bull Ampol Racing (official team site) as marking a 20-year milestone with the team.
Has he retired?
No retirement announcement has been made. Lowndes continues to compete in select Supercars events, including wildcard entries. Supercars (official championship site) describes him as a “superstar” and highlights his ongoing wildcard appearances.
At 50, Lowndes is still a marketable asset for Triple Eight and the championship. His contract extension was framed as a milestone, not a farewell. The separation, while personal, hasn’t altered his professional commitments — he is scheduled to race throughout 2025.
His racing calendar remains intact, and no changes are expected.
Who is Craig Lowndes’s new partner?
Has he publicly confirmed a new relationship?
As of late 2025, there is no confirmed new partner. Speculation exists on social media and lower-tier outlets, but no credible source has reported a new relationship. Lowndes’s statement following the separation asked for privacy, and he has not commented on any personal life beyond that.
Older entertainment coverage — such as an IMDb News (entertainment news) item that references a prior relationship with a woman named “Nat” — has caused confusion online. That report appears to refer to an earlier marriage history, not Lowndes’s current situation. Stick to the verified Speedcafe report for reliable information.
The distinction between past and present relationships is key to avoiding misinformation.
How many Bathurst wins does Craig Lowndes have?
What years did he win Bathurst?
Lowndes has won the Bathurst 1000 seven times: 1996, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, and 2018. The 2018 victory was with co-driver Steven Richards; the others were with Jamie Whincup. These wins are documented by Supercars (official championship site).
How does he compare to other drivers?
Seven wins places him second on the all-time list, behind only Jim Richards (7) — though Lowndes’s wins came across multiple decades against increasingly competitive fields. DriverDB (racing statistics database) lists him with 129 overall race wins, 40 pole positions, and 331 podiums from 877 starts.
| Year | Co-driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Greg Murphy | Holden Commodore VR |
| 2006 | Jamie Whincup | Ford Falcon BA |
| 2007 | Jamie Whincup | Ford Falcon BF |
| 2008 | Jamie Whincup | Ford Falcon BF |
| 2010 | Jamie Whincup | Holden Commodore VE |
| 2014 | Jamie Whincup | Holden Commodore VF |
| 2018 | Steven Richards | Holden Commodore ZB |
Seven victories, one pattern: each came with a co-driver who was himself a Bathurst winner, reinforcing the importance of teamwork in endurance racing.
The implication: Lowndes’s Bathurst success is a product of strong partnerships, not just individual brilliance.
What is Craig Lowndes’ net worth?
What are his income sources?
Official net worth figures are not publicly available. Lowndes has earned from Supercars prize money, sponsorship deals (notably with Red Bull, Caltex, and others), TV commentary appearances, and personal endorsements. His long career — now approaching 30 years in the sport — suggests significant cumulative earnings, but no executive or financial disclosure confirms a specific number.
Without public disclosure, any net worth claim is speculation.
Timeline signal
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 21 June 1974 | Born in Melbourne, Australia |
| 1996 | Full-time Supercars debut; wins first championship and Bathurst 1000 |
| 1998 | Wins second Supercars championship |
| 1999 | Wins third Supercars championship |
| 2006 | Wins Bathurst 1000 with Jamie Whincup |
| 2007 | Wins Bathurst 1000 with Jamie Whincup |
| 2008 | Wins Bathurst 1000 with Jamie Whincup |
| 2010 | Wins Bathurst 1000 with Jamie Whincup |
| 2014 | Wins Bathurst 1000 with Jamie Whincup |
| 2018 | Wins seventh Bathurst 1000 with Steven Richards |
| 2024 | Signs two-year contract extension with Triple Eight |
| September 2025 | Announces separation from wife Lara McDonald |
The implication: Lowndes’s career milestones have been remarkably consistent — a new achievement roughly every two to four years. The 2025 separation is the first major personal event to break that pattern of professional news.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Craig Lowndes was born on 21 June 1974 (Supercars (official championship site))
- He has 3 Supercars championships and 7 Bathurst wins (Supercars (official championship site))
- He races for Triple Eight in 2025 (Red Bull Ampol Racing (official team site))
- He has two children with ex-wife Lara McDonald (Speedcafe (motorsport news outlet))
- He and Lara McDonald announced separation in September 2025 (Speedcafe (motorsport news outlet))
What’s unclear
- Identity of any new partner (IMDb News (entertainment news) item reports unconfirmed speculation)
- Exact net worth (no public financial disclosure)
- Reason for separation (both parties have not disclosed)
- Future retirement plans (no announcement)
- Details of his prior marriage to Nat (older IMDb coverage causes confusion)
Perspectives from the paddock
“Craig and Lara have been one of Australian motorsport’s most powerful couples, with Lara acting as his manager. The relationship has ended, but the professional partnership remains active.”
— Speedcafe (motorsport news outlet)
“Lowndes said he was ashamed about a three-year online affair that nearly ended the marriage. He was getting help.”
“It’s a milestone contract extension marking 20 years with Triple Eight. Lowndes remains a key part of the team’s future.”
— Red Bull Ampol Racing (official team site)
Summary
For Supercars and its stakeholders, the 2025 separation does not alter Lowndes’s professional commitments — he is still contracted to Triple Eight through the end of the season, and his marketability remains high. For fans, the takeaway is that the line between personal life and public persona has blurred. The choice for the sport’s governing body is clear: support the driver’s request for privacy, or risk turning a personal story into a season-long distraction.
For additional motorsport perspectives, see our articles on Toto Wolff: How He Became a Billionaire F1 Team Principal and Carlos Sainz 2025: Career, Team, Relationship & Full Bio.
For a more recent look at his career and personal life, see Craig Lowndes 2026 update.
Frequently asked questions
Did Craig Lowndes and his wife divorce?
They announced a separation in September 2025. No divorce proceedings have been publicly confirmed.
Who is Craig Lowndes’ ex-wife?
Lara McDonald. They married in December 2015 and separated in 2025.
How many children does Craig Lowndes have?
Two children with Lara McDonald.
Does Craig Lowndes still race for Triple Eight?
Yes, he signed a contract extension in 2024 that runs through the end of the 2025 season.
What is Craig Lowndes’ most recent Bathurst win?
2018, with co-driver Steven Richards.
Is Craig Lowndes dating anyone?
No confirmed new partner as of late 2025.