Mostert reached out to Lowndes amid manufacturer switch
Chaz Mostert reached out to Lowndes amid manufacturer switch
Mostert changed from Ford to Holden in 2019, after signing with WAU
WAU changed to Ford in 2023, and will switch to Toyota from 2026
Chaz Mostert has revealed he reached out to Craig Lowndes amid the impending reaction to his first high-profile manufacturer switch in Supercars.
Mostert is set to move from Ford to Toyota next season, as Walkinshaw Andretti United changes brands for the second time in three seasons.
The two-time Bathurst winner raced Fords between 2013 and 2019, before jumping to Holden in 2020 courtesy of his deal with WAU.
The high-profile move, while built on weeks of speculation, triggered Mostert to seek advice from Lowndes, who himself was at the centre of big brand moves.
Lowndes infamously moved from Holden to Ford in 2001, before moving back to Holden in 2010. Such moves have sparked passionate responses from the fans, many crossing the line and resorting to vitriol.
“I was nervous about changing for the first time, going from Ford to Holden when I went to Walkinshaws [in 2020],” Mostert told the Drivers Only Podcast.
“So I actually reached out to Lowndesy because I was like, well, ‘he’s done it before’ and I was like ‘what am I expecting to see?’
“He pretty much summed it up the best way, you’re going to lose 50% of the people who support you and are really core with the manufacturer they follow.
“And then you’re going to find 50% other ones, so try not to let it bother you and just be grateful for whoever was supporting you. He was really good for that side of things.”
The moves haven’t affected Mostert’s popularity, the 33-year-old winning the fan-voted Most Popular Driver last year. Mostert also maintained his commitment to WAU and Toyota, amid General Motors' push to snare a star driver.
Lowndes’ has also opted for loyalty, opting against another manufacturer switch by splitting with Triple Eight at the end of 2025 to remain with GM.
Mostert said the recent moves have attracted more attention on WAU, rather than the drivers, adding: “A team changing manufacturers I feel like is even more huge, especially being Walkinshaw.
“I think it was harsher on the team, definitely from their fanbase.”
On the Toyota reaction, Mostert added: “I feel like it’s somewhere in the middle, people are excited to see another powerful manufacturer come in and hopefully it just goes up."
