MOTORSPORT: Andretti buys into Walkinshaw

Struggling former factory Supercars team Walkinshaw Racing has joined forces with one of the most famous names in global motorsport as it seeks to rebuild its competitiveness.

Andretti Autosport, owned by former IndyCar champion and F1 racer Michael Andretti, has bought a share of the team, along with British operation United Autosports, which is part-owned by McLaren F1 chief Zak Brown, who is also understood to have brokered the deal.

Walkinshaw and Andretti will have an equal share of the business, while United Autosports has taken a minority stake. The operation will be renamed Walkinshaw Andretti United.

United Autosports is owned by American Brown and British former racer Richard Dean. While predominantly involved with sportscar racing, United teamed with Andretti Autosport to field F1 star Fernando Alonso in the Indy 500 this year.

While the deal is yet to gain the formal approval of the Supercars board, it is unlikely to be vetoed.

The move will provide a valuable cash and expertise injection into Walkinshaw Racing, which has been on a steady downward spiral in recent years. At the end of 2016 it lost its factory status and Holden Racing Team title, which was transferred to Red Bull Racing.

The team has continued to struggle this year with drivers James Courtney and Scott Pye entering this weekend’s Bathurst 1000 19th and 18th in the championship respectively.

Andretti, who is at Bathurst for the announcement along with key team personnel, is the second iconic American racing name to enter the Supercars championship, following on from Roger Penske, who took over Dick Johnson Racing in 2014.

In a statement, Walkinshaw Racing Chairman Ryan Walkinshaw made it clear how crucial he expects Andretti and United’s involvement will be in rebuilding the team.

“This combination of international expertise is a pivotal step in accelerating our development, getting us where we need to be,” he said.

“We’ve been looking for partners who can add value to this team, both on and off the track, so to find that so resoundingly is the most pleasing element.

“It’s not only an alliance of technical expertise, but commercial prowess. Their experience, knowledge and record, both on and off the race-track, gives us, our current partners, and any future partners, access to global networks and talent pools.

“Today is the beginning of a new era. We are still firmly focused on the job at hand for 2017, but are eagerly looking forward to 2018.”

Andretti said his investment in Walkinshaw Racing and Supercars was driven by a goal to diversify. Founded in 2009, the Indianapolis-based team already races in IndyCar, Indy Lights, Formual E and Global Rallycross.

He also admitted Penske’s investment sparked his interest in getting involved.

The deal also opens the door for Andretti Autosport drivers to potentially compete in Supercars endurance races. Michael’s son Marco and Indy 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay are on the team’s roster.

“Together with Walkinshaw Racing and United Autosports, we now have three iconic organisations working together,” he said. “We are determined to succeed, and I have full confidence that this new venture, Walkinshaw Andretti United, will become a leading Supercars team.”

United Autosports is the current European Le Mans Series LMP3 champions and has expanded into the LMP2 category in 2017.

Brown recently bought a 2011 Bathurst-winning Holden Commodore VE Supercar from Walkinshaw and will drive it for the first time at Donington Park in the UK next week.

“I’m delighted United Autosports have joined forces with Walkinshaw Racing and Andretti Autosport,” he said. “It is bringing together three iconic names in motor sport across three continents – Europe, Australia and America, where we can share our experience and resources to make each team stronger.”