Mark Winterbottom has left the door open for a stunning switch to Holden next season after announcing his departure from long-term Supercars home Tickford Racing.
The 37-year-old will end a 13-year association with the team he steered to success in the 2015 championship and 2013 Bathurst 1000, with Steven Richards.
The bombshell move was announced by both team and driver on Thursday night as teams prepare for the penultimate meet of the season at Pukekohe Park, south of Auckland.
Winterbottom and Tickford insist the parting of ways was amicable.
"I shook hands with the Tickford management and we wished each other all the best," Winterbottom said.