Ford's winning objective with WAU
Key Ford figures are buoyed by Walkinshaw Andretti United’s "drive to win" ahead of 2023.
It was confirmed Friday that WAU will trade General Motors machinery for Mustangs next season.
It ends over 30 years of WAU running GM cars, 27 of which were spent as Holden’s factory team.
A Walkinshaw car last won a drivers’ title in 2007 with Garth Tander, albeit the HSV Dealer Team.
Mark Skaife won the team’s last championship in 2002 under its Holden Racing Team guise.
Friday’s announcement was a show of power from Ford, which featured the company's most senior of executives.
Leading figures from Ford and WAU
Ford Motor Company president and CEO Jim Farley introduced the presentation.
Ford Performance motorsports director Mark Rushbrook and vice president ICE product programs Trevor Worthington also featured.
WAU directors Ryan Walkinshaw and Michael Andretti were on hand in Detroit.
Ford Australia president and CEO Andrew Birkic was joined by WAU team principal Bruce Stewart.
Birkic said WAU’s similar motivation to win only adds to Ford’s excitement.
"We’re here to win," Birkic said.
"We’re looking to work with the best organisations, 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 organisation 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.”
Rushbrook said Ford was "excited" to welcome a long-time rival to the Ford fold.
"WAU have been our rivals in Supercars for a very long time, and are now joining our Blue Oval programme," Rushbrook said.
"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."
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