What's new in 2025: Winterbottom the star co-driver

Supercars.com is highlighting some key on- and off-track changes coming in 2025, continuing with a veteran's next chapter.

It seems fairytales do come true, with Mark Winterbottom linking up with Tickford Racing and the Blue Oval after six long years.

After 21 years in the full-time game, Winterbottom will transition into co-driving in 2025, and it's no small move either, the veteran signing on the partner Cam Waters.

For many, Waters is now armed with his best chance yet to win the race, and that's saying something, given he has raced with the likes of Will Davison, James Moffat, Michael Caruso, David Russell and Richie Stanaway.

Winterbottom has long maintained he's got plenty left in the tank, and we've seen drivers step out of the full-time game and dominate in the enduros. Given Frosty's pedigree, you'd be hard-pressed to look elsewhere for a favourite.

The background

The kid from Doonside debuted in the 2003 enduros for Stone Brothers Racing, before being plucked by Mark Larkham for 2004.

After moving to Ford Performance Racing in 2006, Winterbottom was the Blue Oval's leading man for a decade, winning the 2013 Great Race and 2015 championship. Pitted against the might of Triple Eight and Jamie Whincup, Winterbottom had it all to do, and was often pipped to the post.

Between 2006 and 2016, Winterbottom won 38 races. Only Whincup (104), Craig Lowndes (47) and Garth Tander (46) won more in that period. There's no doubt Triple Eight was the benchmark, but Winterbottom managed to take the fight to the powerhouse team each time.

By 2018, Winterbottom was approaching 40, with Waters and Chaz Mostert seemingly the future of the team. Winterbottom sought change, and a shock move to Team 18 and Holden caught many by surprise.

However, it didn't deliver the results Winterbottom wanted, with a win and two additional podiums, all coming in the Gen3 era, the clear highlights.

A next chapter, if not totally planned

Team 18's decision to sign Anton De Pasquale left Winterbottom looking for a new opportunity, despite the latter initially believing he had secured a deal to return in 2025.

It was a shock to many, given Winterbottom had claimed podiums at the Grand Prix and Darwin, and had largely outperformed new teammate David Reynolds.

Winterbottom waited until the penultimate round of 2024 to confirm he wouldn't return full-time next season, and immediately, speculation was rife about where he would land next.

He left the door open to a "fairytale" link-up with Tickford and, sure enough, the deal was made public in the days after the season finale. Not only will Winterbottom partner Waters, but he will also mentor Tickford's rising stars in the Dunlop Series.

Is Bathurst win No. 2 a genuine possibility?

Waters claimed Bathurst podiums with Davison (2020) and Moffat (2021 and 2022), but fell short of victory. Few drivers will be as desperate to win at the Mountain than Waters, who will make his 14th Bathurst start this year.

Waters is among the fastest at Mount Panorama, so Winterbottom will have a clear objective: be competitive, stay out of trouble, and hand over to Waters in a strong position.

Winterbottom knows that, saying at the time of his deal: "Cam's one of the best drivers in the field. I’ll support him 100 percent — if he wins, we win. That’s what it’s all about. I’m excited to complement his raw speed with my experience and help Tickford fight for the top step of the podium."

The likes of Tander, Lee Holdsworth and Todd Hazelwood have, in recent years, dominated fellow co-drivers after jumping out of the full-time hot seat. Winterbottom, while 44 by October, is fit, sharp and as determined as hell.

Tickford has made a clear step forward since downsizing to two cars, finishing second in the 2024 teams' championship. The team wants wins and championships, and the impact of Winterbottom could prove pivotal, not only at the enduros, but from day one.

Tickets for the season-opening round in Sydney, on February 21-23, are on sale now.