New number, name for Walkinshaw Andretti United

James Courtney will carry #25 this Supercars season with Walkinshaw Andretti United, which itself will run under the Mobil 1 Boost Mobile Racing banner.

The former factory Holden outfit has welcomed Andretti Autosport and United Autosports as partners, with Courtney and Scott Pye to race ZB Commodores.

Mobil 1 and Boost Mobile have taken on co-naming rights status, and 2010 Supercars champion Courtney’s number change from #22 reflects the 25th anniversary of its partnership with the former.

The oil giant first sponsored the outfit in 1994 when its long-time driver Peter Brock joined what was then the Holden Racing Team.

Coincidentally, the number has also been used semi-regularly by Andretti’s IndyCar squad over the last decade, including with Marco Andretti full-time in 2013 and ’14, and Stefan Wilson in this year’s Indy 500.

“The Walkinshaw Andretti United program for 2018 keeps getting stronger and stronger, and we’re proud to announce a continued partnership with Mobil 1 and Boost Mobile that will see the team take on the Mobil 1 Boost Mobile name,” Michael Andretti said.

“The No. 25 has been part of the Andretti Autosport stable in IndyCar, so it’s also very neat to see James take on the No. 25 in honour of the 25-year relationship between Mobil 1 and the team.

“Our team has been fortunate enough to work with Boost Mobile (US) on the IndyCar side, and we are excited to continue that relationship with the brand, this time in Australia.

“The website is live, fans can get merchandise, the car build is progressing, and Adelaide is just around the corner.

“I feel like Walkinshaw Andretti United has arrived and I can’t wait to get the season going.”

Brock in his Mobil-backed Holden Racing Team Commodore in 1994

Courtney will be the recipient of the first of the team’s two brand-new ZB Commodores, which is scheduled for a shakedown on Tuesday, while Pye will race his upgraded 2017 chassis.

Ryan Walkinshaw described the dual naming-rights deal as “fantastic for the team”, with Boost having come on board with Courtney’s Commodore in 2017.

“Having Mobil as an integral partner to our team for a quarter of a century is a testament to the strength and integrity of our relationship,” he said.

“It’s been an amazing journey with Mobil so far. We have enjoyed a great deal of success together, so we are all absolutely delighted that our partnership is continuing in 2018, and they are remaining a co-naming rights partner.

“In a world that has evolved significantly in this time, I am proud that there is a likeminded determination to constantly evolve and reinvent our intrinsic value to each other.

“That to me is a real partnership, and we can’t thank the team at Mobil enough.

“It’s great that they are joining Boost Mobile, a company that we formed an incredibly strong relationship with at the beginning of last year, to create Mobil 1 Boost Mobile Racing.

“Boost Mobile are a fantastic company, who provide a great product and service, but also really connect to the youth market.

“Having such a dynamic partner onboard shows the strength and direction the team is heading.”

Walkinshaw Andretti United's 2018 branding

Andretti visited last October’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, where the January 1 ownership change was announced.

United Autosports co-owner Zak Brown will have his first contact at next month’s Australian Grand Prix, which he will attend as executive director of the McLaren Technology Group.

“It’s really great that Boost Mobile and Mobil 1 have combined with us creating Mobil 1 Boost Mobile Racing,” Brown said.

“Mobil 1 have been part of the team for 25 years now so to continue our relationship with them is fantastic.

“Both companies are stepping up their support of the team and their presence in Supercars, by taking a prominent brand position on both our cars from this season onwards.

“I’m thrilled we are associated with two great businesses as we move the team forward.”