V8 Supercar champion, Jamie Whincup and Australia's most popular V8 Supercar driver, Craig Lowndes have both inked new deals with TeamVodafone, it has been announced.

The news follows confirmation today that the squad has renewed its sponsorship deal with Vodafone Hutchison Australia. The new agreement extends Vodafone's participation in the sport - and the Whincup-Lowndes partnership - until at least the end of 2012.

Roland Dane, team boss, said the strategy to extend the naming rights partnership in combination with the re-signing of both drivers was a unique move in the world's most competitive touring car category.

“Continuity from sponsors, drivers and team personnel has been one of the key factors to our incredible success over the past three seasons,” said Dane. “Today is a historic day and we are very pleased and proud to extend our involvement with Vodafone at least until the end of 2012, along with securing both of our drivers for the same period.

“Vodafone's proactive and forward-thinking approach has given us countless opportunities as a team and we are equally pleased to have been able to reward them with consecutive Bathurst wins on top of our championship, backed by 39 race wins during the partnership so far.

“Today's announcement will give us the best chance to remain at the forefront of the category as it continues to evolve over the coming years.”

Meanwhile defending champion and current points' leader, Whincup, said the decision to re-sign with TeamVodafone until 2012 would be career-defining.

“I am overwhelmed with the opportunities that have arisen since winning my first V8 Supercar Championship and I am thrilled to have agreed on a multi-year deal that will see me stay with the world famous TeamVodafone until the end of 2012,” he stated.

“The main factors that helped me decide my future were the great people at TeamVodafone, a fantastic major partner in Vodafone and the opportunity to remain driving alongside my good mate Craig Lowndes.