Following a week of speculation, Walkinshaw Andretti United has confirmed it will change allegiances to Ford for the 2022 Repco Supercars Championship.
In what will be a factory supported effort, Walkinshaw Andretti United will field two Ford Performance Mustang GTs in next year’s championship, which returns star driver Chaz Mostert to the Blue Oval after winning last year’s Repco Bathurst 1000.
It marks a major shift for teammate Nick Percat, who will race a Ford for the first time in Supercars competition.
The switch is a major change for the Australian-based section of the Walkinshaw company after starting an association with Holden in 1988 and racing as its factory represented team for 27-years until 2016.
Walkinshaw Andretti United Director Ryan Walkinshaw is excited by this new chapter for the team as it enters a new era of its own, aligning with the largest change in Supercars competition for some time.
“Today marks a new era for Walkinshaw Andretti United, one we are extremely excited about,” said Walkinshaw.
“For over three decades we have gone head-to-head in competition with Ford, but joining forces with them for Gen3 was the clear direction forward.
“We are extremely proud of our history with Holden over such a long period of time, that is something we will always be grateful for. We will wear the Holden badge with pride right up until their final race in Supercars at the end of 2022. But now it’s time for change, it’s time for a new chapter.
“For now, our short-term focus remains on 2022, continuing what we’ve started, and finishing our current chapter on a high.”
“Walkinshaw Andretti United is a business with three international branches, and all three share history with Ford, my mum even met my dad while he was racing a Ford Capri in the British Touring Car Championship. To have manufacturer support once again is essential for our race team and the goals we have, and we thank Ford for their trust in us.”
Although viewed as a competitor in its Australian history, Ford employed team founder Tom Walkinshaw as part of its 1974 attack on the BTCC as stated by Ryan, while team co-owners Michael Andretti and Zak Brown have won races in Blue Oval-powered products.
“It’s an exciting day for us at Walkinshaw Andretti United, announcing our partnership with Ford to race the Mustang GT in 2023 and beyond,” Andretti emphasised.
“We share a great history with Ford, the brand that powered me through my IndyCar career in 1992, and from 1994 through until 2000, there are clear links right throughout our entire organisation. To be a manufacturer supported team for the first time since Walkinshaw Andretti United was born, gives us the best opportunity to achieve our goals.
“The Team’s history won’t be forgotten, but we are excited for what the next chapter brings. First though, our focus remains on 2022, and finishing the best possible way.”
Brown reiterated Walkinshaw and Andretti’s excitement at the announcement, heralding it as a significant move for the team.
“It’s an historic day for Walkinshaw Andretti United, to be aligning with Ford in the Supercars Championship marks a new era for our team,” said Brown
“Ford’s support of Supercars is unquestionable, and it’s fantastic for us to have manufacturer support for the first time since Michael and I have been involved.
“It wasn’t a decision we made lightly, but it was the clear direction forward. Thank you to the entire Ford team, both in Australia and globally.
“We are here to win, and we believe our partnership with Ford gives puts us in the best position to do that as we head into a new era of Supercars in 2023.
“The Team shares some incredible history with Holden, none of which will ever be forgotten, and we are all looking forward to finishing their time in Supercars on a high this year.”
Ford Performance Global Director of Motorsport Mark Rushbrook welcomed WAU into the family.
“WAU have been our rivals in Supercars for a very long time, and are now joining our Blue Oval program,” Rushbrook reflected. “We’re excited to have them.
“The Walkinshaw, Andretti and Brown names all have great history with Ford and a deep passion for motorsport through the years. Motorsport is in Ford’s DNA, and we’ve shared some incredible moments together. We look forward to building on those moments further with WAU in Supercars.”
For reigning Bathurst winner Mostert, it’s a familiar alliance after racing as he raced for what is now Tickford Racing in its various incarnations from 2014 to 2019, securing one Bathurst win during this period.
“I’ve had a long and successful relationship with Ford in the past, so it’s really exciting to be re-joining the blue oval in 2023 and beyond,” said Mostert.
“It will be a bit of a homecoming to step back into a Mustang that’s for sure.
“Before that though, we’ve got a job to do in 2022, so that’s what I’m focussed on.”
Percat re-joined the squad he holds strong history – which included the 2011 Bathurst 1000 victory – at the start of the season, but the move to Ford will be a distinct difference for the Supercars races winner.
“I’m really excited about Gen3 and our partnership with Ford,” Percat said.
“Of course, it will be different to see the Ford badge on the front of our cars, but it will be fantastic to have manufacturer support.
“With Holden finishing up in Supercars at the end of this year, we will be doing everything possible to end on a high, before we turn our attention to the next chapter.”
With two further entries for Ford on the grid in 2023, this makes it 10 Mustangs confirmed for Gen3’s debut season.