Lee Holdsworth, Fabian Coulthard ink WAU enduro deals

Walkinshaw Andretti United has announced the signing of Lee Holdsworth and Fabian Coulthard to take up co-driver roles in the 2023 Supercars season.

Holdsworth returns to the team after contesting his final full season in the series with Grove Racing last year, and will reunite with Chaz Mostert as the pair seek to replicate the dramatic win they secured in the Great Race back in 2021.

Coulthard meanwhile returns to the team for a second season having partnered Mostert to a second place finish at Bathurst last year, with the Kiwi moving over to partner Nick Percat for Sandown and Bathurst this time around.

Warren Luff, who ran alongside Percat last year, continues to work with the team as a ‘Super2 Driver Development Advisor’, with his racing programme to be announced in due course.

“It’s fantastic to have Lee back, and Fabian on board again for 2023,” team principal Bruce Stewart said. “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.”

Holdsworth admitted he was delighted to have the chance to return to WAU having called time on his full time career at the end of 2022.

“It’s fantastic to back at WAU and back alongside Chaz,” he said. “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.”