DETROIT — Walkinshaw Andretti United will run the Ford Performance Mustang GT in the Supercars Championship beginning in 2023.
Ford’s support of Walkinshaw Andretti United will coincide with the debut of the next generation Supercar, Gen3, from round one of the 2023 Supercars Championship.
Walkinshaw Andretti United will field two Ford Performance Mustang GTs 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.
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 next season.
“Today marks a new era for Walkinshaw Andretti United, one we are extremely excited about,” said Ryan Walkinshaw, director of Walkinshaw Andretti United. “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.”
“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,” said Michael Andretti, director, Walkinshaw Andretti United. “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.”