Supercars Rumor: Walkinshaw Andretti United to switch to Ford (Update)

This rumor is upgraded to ‘fact’ today.

Walkinshaw Andretti United, in conjunction with Ford, has today announced that the Team will run the Ford Performance Mustang GT in the Supercars Championship from 2023.

Ford’s support of Walkinshaw Andretti United will coincide with the debut of the next generation Supercar, Gen3, from Round 1 of the 2023 Supercars Championship.

Walkinshaw Andretti United will field two Ford Performance Mustang GTs in the 2023 Supercars Championship, driven by Chaz Mostert and Nick Percat. Importantly, it will be the first time since 2016 the Team will have manufacturer support.

The switch to Ford comes after over three-decades of partnership with Holden, including 27-years as the Holden Racing Team.

Now, as Supercars enters a new era, so does the Team, working with Ford, the automotive giant it has gone head-to-head with for decades.

The links to Ford spread right throughout all three arms of Walkinshaw Andretti United.

The Walkinshaw family’s history with Ford dates back to 1974, when Tom Walkinshaw was hired by Ford to drive a Ford Capri in the British Touring Car Championship, in which he won his class.

The Andretti family and Ford share a storied history together. Michael Andretti won the 1983 Formula Mondial North American Cup in a Ralt-Ford RT4, before using Ford power in the IndyCar series in 1992, and from 1994 to 2000. Michael’s relationship with Ford also continued in Formula 1 in 1993 with the Ford powered McLaren.

Zak Brown’s relationship with Ford can also be traced back. He was a race-winner in the British Formula Ford series in 1991, and now owns many famous Ford cars such as a works Ford Capri and Ford Escort World Rally Car.

The short-term focus of the Team will remain on the 2022 Supercars Championship, where Walkinshaw Andretti United will continue to run the Holden ZB Commodore, before the team makes the switch to the Ford Performance Mustang GT for the 2023 season.

QUOTE BOARD

RYAN WALKINSHAW – DIRECTOR, WALKINSHAW ANDRETTI UNITED

“Today marks a new era for Walkinshaw Andretti United, one we are extremely excited about. 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.

“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.

“For now, our short-term focus remains on 2022, continuing what we’ve started, and finishing our current chapter on a high.”

MICHAEL ANDRETTI, DIRECTOR, WALKINSHAW ANDRETTI UNITED

“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.

“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 organization. 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.”

ZAK BROWN – DIRECTOR, WALKINSHAW ANDRETTI UNITED

“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.

“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.”

ANDREW BIRKIC – PRESIDENT AND CEO OF FORD AUSTRALIA

“We’re here to win. We’re looking to work with the best organizations, and the best people to get the Blue Oval to the front of the pack, to put on the best show for our fans.”

“In Walkinshaw Andretti United we see an organization with the same core values and beliefs, a passion for the sport and that real drive to win.

“We’re excited to welcome our former rivals into the family, and look forward to many years of success in conjunction with WAU.”

MARK RUSHBROOK – GLOBAL DIRECTOR OF MOTORSPORTS

“WAU have been our rivals in Supercars for a very long time, and are now joining our Blue Oval program. 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.”

CHAZ MOSTERT – DRIVER, WALKINSHAW ANDRETTI UNITED

“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. 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.

NICK PERCAT – DRIVER, WALKINSHAW ANDRETTI UNITED

“I’m really excited about Gen3 and our partnership with Ford. 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.”
*Please note, Chaz Mostert and Nick Percat will be making no further comment at this stage*

Walkinshaw Andretti United is preparing to switch allegiance from Holden (GM) to Ford for the Gen3 era starting in 2023.

According to Speedcafe, the deal had been done ahead of the Perth SuperNight last weekend, but confirmation has been delayed for an official announcement with Ford Performance on Friday.

The Holden Commodore will be retired from the Supercars at the end of this year, with General Motors continuing its association via the Chevrolet Camaro brand to race alongside the Ford Mustang.

Walkinshaw Andretti United slipped to sixth in the championship standings after a particularly poor weekend in Perth, with neither Chaz Mostert nor Nick Percat able to crack the top 10 in any of the three races.

Mostert, the only driver this season to win multiple races other than title leader Shane van Gisbergen, is fifth on the drivers title table, 342 points behind, i.e. out to lunch.