Tickford signs Winterbottom to partner Waters in 2025

Mark Winterbottom will reunite with Tickford Racing in 2025, with the Ford team confirming the 2013 Bathurst winner will partner Cam Waters at the enduros.

Six years after departing Tickford and the Blue Oval, Winterbottom will return to the team that delivered him the most successful years of his career.

Winterbottom will join Waters in what looms as one of the strongest driving partnerships in recent years, with Waters now armed with arguably his best shot yet at winning the Great Race.

Tickford also confirmed that Winterbottom has also signed on mentor the team's next generation of drivers. The Campbellfield team also operates Tickford Autosport, which notably runs three Super2 cars.

“I’m so excited to come back home to Tickford Racing. This team played such a massive part in my career," Winterbottom said.

"I came here as a young driver in the Ford programme, and we went on to achieve incredible success together — race wins, a championship, and Bathurst.

"It feels like the right time to come full circle, and I’m here to win again, with Cam and with Tickford."

Winterbottom first joined Tickford in 2006, winning 38 races, the 2013 Bathurst 1000 and 2015 drivers' championship with the squad formally known as Ford Performance Racing and Prodrive Racing Australia.

The news also all but ensures James Moffat, who partnered Waters between 2021 and 2024, will shift to Thomas Randle's entry.

"Tickford feels like family. So many of the same people are still here, and the fans’ support has been overwhelming — Bathurst really hit home when people kept saying, ‘Go back to Tickford'," he added.

"It’s a privilege to return to such a competitive team with two great opportunities ahead: to win with Cam in the enduros and to help shape the future of this sport. 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."

A veteran of 645 Supercars races, Winterbottom is also determined to make an impact with Tickford's rising stars, with the Autosport programme to be represented by Lochie Dalton, Rylan Gray and newcomer Reuben Goodall in 2025.

“I’ve learnt so much over my career, and I’m really looking forward to passing that knowledge on to the next generation," said Winterbottom, who won the 2003 development series title.

"Whether it’s helping them with the little tricks — what kerbs to hit, throttle control, or handling the pressure of race day — I want to help them succeed and enjoy the sport as much as I have.

"Watching these young drivers grow and achieve is so rewarding."

Tickford owner Rod Nash was delighted to welcome Winterbottom back to the team, saying: "Mark’s return to Tickford Racing is a tremendous benefit for the business, not just because of how he operates but also because of the person he is.

"I have always held the utmost respect for him, both as a great sportsman and as an individual. He is incredibly respectful to everyone, consistently driven to succeed and achieve, and highly structured in everything he pursues.

"Mark is a fascinating and knowledgeable statesman, and I’ve always believed he has ‘blue blood’ running through him. For our team and Ford, it’s fantastic to have the homing pigeon returning to the nest.

Tickford CEO Simon Brookhouse, who joined the team in 2024, hailed the news as a "fantastic story."

"Mark is a living legend of the sport, and having him return home to Tickford is both a fantastic story and a huge asset for the team, both on and off the track," Brookhouse said.

"His role within the team is truly unique, reflecting his character and immense wealth of experience. We’re especially excited about his mentorship in the Tickford Autosport programme — not only giving him the platform to share his knowledge but also to extend his legacy by coaching and nurturing the next generation of talented drivers.

Winterbottom will race with Waters at The Bend and Bathurst in September and October next year.