Zak Brown explains 'incredibly difficult' WAU decision

Zak Brown has labelled Bathurst and championship victory as key highlights in his ownership of Walkinshaw Andretti United, which ends as United Autosports steps away from the team.

Confirmed Friday, Walkinshaw Andretti United will transform into Walkinshaw TWG Racing in 2026, when the team makes its highly anticipated move to Toyota.

Brown's United Autosports and Andretti Autosport bought into the Walkinshaw team in 2017, creating WAU. In the years since, WAU won the Bathurst 1000 in 2021 and drivers' championship in 2025 with Chaz Mostert.

Friday's news comes as United Autosports, founded by Brown and Richard Dean, steps away in order to focus on its European and endurance racing programs. It includes the team's its entry into the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2027 with McLaren United.

Brown, who heads up the new double Formula 1 champion team McLaren, said while it was a tough decision to step away from WAU, the timing was right.

“It was an incredibly difficult decision to step away from Walkinshaw Andretti United, one that we didn’t take lightly, but with our WEC program and other racing commitments growing rapidly, the time was right to put our complete focus and energy into that,” Brown said.

“Personally, I have loved every moment with the entire team, with the drivers, and being involved in Supercars. To win the championship in our final event together seems like the perfect ending, but also, the Bathurst 1000 win is something that I will never forget."

Brown balanced his F1 duties with the occasional trackside visit at Supercars events with WAU, and was often available to media.

There, the American continued his praise of both the team and the sport, which he believes are in "great shape" moving forward.

“It’s no doubt one of the best racing categories in the world. I want to thank the team for not only welcoming us in 2018, but for all the hard work and dedication since," Brown continued.

“I might not be involved day-to-day anymore, but that won’t stop me watching and cheering on from afar, and from the pit wall in Melbourne next year. I have no doubts there are great things ahead.”

Mostert and Ryan Wood will debut their new GR Supras at Sydney Motorsport Park on February 20-22 next year.