LEE Holdsworth’s highly anticipated return to Walkinshaw Andretti United has been confirmed, making for a reunion with Chaz Mostert.
Mostert and Holdsworth won the 2021 Repco Bathurst 1000 together before the latter swooped on one last opportunity for a full-time seat at Grove Racing.
Ever since he announced his retirement from primary driving, Holdsworth has been expected to return to Clayton and that is now official.
Fabian Coulthard, who last year combined with Mostert to finish second, will switch across to the #2 Mobil 1 NTI Racing Mustang of Nick Percat.
That bumps six-time Bathurst 1000 podium finisher Warren Luff out of a spot in the main WAU stable.
However, Luff remains contracted to WAU, with team communications indicating “his 2023 driving plans (are) to be announced in due course”.
That could well involve a wildcard; Luff is also operating as a driver development advisor for WAU’s Super2 program.
The Supercars endurance season is back to a multi-event format this year, with the Sandown 500 in September leading into the Great Race.
“It’s fantastic to have Lee back, and Fabian onboard again for 2023,” said team principal Bruce Stewart.
“To have two drivers of their calibre and with their experience in our endurance line-up is a real asset to us. It’s an incredibly strong line-up.
“Two events mean more on-track time for both drivers, but undoubtedly, their experience behind the wheel will be really important as we all adapt to Gen3 as quickly as possible – so we are lucky to have them.
“Of course, we won’t be letting Luffy go that easily either, he’s going to have a really important role helping our Super2 drivers on and off track, but also, we’re working on what an on-track program for him in 2023 looks like.
“It’s going to be a big year on all fronts, but will be fantastic to have Fabian, Lee and Warren around the team as we tackle the year head on.”
WAU’s two Gen3 Ford Mustangs will complete shakedowns today at Winton Motor Raceway, where Holdsworth and Coulthard will be in attendance.
“It’s fantastic to be back at WAU and back alongside Chaz,” said Holdsworth.
“When I hung the helmet up from full-time racing at the end of last year, I wanted to put myself back in the best position possible this endurance season and that was with WAU – our last race together turned out alright.
“Having the two enduros this year is awesome, and Sandown is the perfect lead-up to Bathurst so it’ll be great to be in the Mobil 1 Optus Racing Mustang.
“There will be a lot to learn for us co-drivers this year with Gen3, so adapting as quickly as possible is going to be really important, so it’s great to be involved this early in the year – the team has done an incredible job with these cars over the break.”
Added Coulthard: “It’s awesome to be back with WAU for another year, and I’m looking forward to teaming up with Nick in the Mobil 1 NTI Racing Mustang.
“Having two endurance events back on the calendar is great, so the program really starts now, putting ourselves in the best possible position for later in the year.
“The team have done a great job getting these cars ready over summer, they look incredible, so it will be great to get a few laps at the shakedown to start to understand the new rig – I think it will be really important come endurance season.”
