Mostert eyes Ford 'homecoming'
Chaz Mostert is readying for a Ford "homecoming" when Walkinshaw Andretti United switches to Mustangs.
It was confirmed Friday that WAU will run Fords when the Gen3 era begins in 2023.
It ends a storied history with General Motors, which began before Mostert was born.
Mostert left behind over a decade of association with Ford to join WAU and Holden in 2020.
The 30-year-old made his main game debut for Dick Johnson Racing in 2013 before he moved to Tickford.
There, he won the Bathurst 1000 in 2014, and won races with the team up until his departure in 2019.
Mostert won Bathurst for WAU last year
It came after Mostert won a Formula Ford title and races in Super2 aboard a Falcon.
Should a Ford win this year's Great Race, Mostert will be the last Holden driver to have won Bathurst.
While keeping his focus on his 2022 campaign, Mostert was excited to return to the Blue Oval.
"I’ve had a long and successful relationship with Ford in the past,” Mostert said.
"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 focused on."
Both Mostert and Nick Percat are contracted with WAU into 2023.
Percat has never raced a Ford in Supercars or Super2.
He won the 2011 Bathurst 1000 and 2016 Adelaide 500 in Commodores.
Three generations of Percat's family worked at the Holden Elizabeth factory in South Australia.
"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."
WAU will, for the first time since 2016, receive official factory support.
This time, it comes from Ford, and the team has the blessing of Ford’s heavyweights, who are eyeing more Supercars success.
"We’re here to win," said Andrew Birkic, President and CEO of Ford Australia.
"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.
Mostert won 13 races for Ford, including Bathurst in 2014
"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."
"WAU have been our rivals in Supercars for a very long time, and are now joining our Blue Oval program," added Mark Rushbrook, Ford’s global motorsports director.
"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."
The 2022 season will resume at Winton on May 21-22. Purchase your tickets now.
