WALKINSHAW Andretti United has revealed it has a 2026 contract for both its current co-drivers, Fabian Coulthard and Jayden Ojeda.
It won’t, however, dig its heels in if Ojeda asks to pursue a full-time opportunity elsewhere – much like was the case for Lee Holdsworth, when Grove Racing came knocking following his 2021 Bathurst-winning co-driving performance.
Ojeda is thought to be a lock for a PremiAir Racing seat, in addition to a continuation of his Mercedes GT3 globe-trotting.
“He’s been a great driver for us previously and he’s with us for the enduros,” WAU team principal Carl Faux said on the Friday of The Bend 500, with reference to a solo wildcard campaign for ‘Juice’ three years ago.
“We have a contract with both co-drivers, but as we have shown previously, we’re generally good people and if the opportunity arises for a co-driver to get a main game drive, then that’s a discussion that we will have.”
PremiAir is expected to replace James Golding and Richie Stanaway with Ojeda and Declan Fraser for 2026.
Ojeda combined with Ryan Wood to finish sixth in The Bend 500.
Jayden Ojeda aboard the Walkinshaw Andretti United #2 Mustang. Pic: Mark Walker
“We started on the back foot considering my mistake in the Shootout which we paid our price for in the beginning of the race being around some aggressive guys,” said Wood.
“Juice did an incredible job today, he got hung out to dry at Turn 6 and dropped down to P15 but handed the car back in P4, pretty impressive!”
Ojeda poked fun at both himself and Wood in reflecting on the Ryco Enduro Cup opener.
“I gave Woody some flack on his 50 Supercars starts poster about 50 bad starts and I accidentally added to that – I’m sure I won’t be hearing the end of that from Woody!” said the 26-year-old.
“Ultimately, after the first lap it was a solid race from both myself and Woody, it was great to get a solid points haul for Woody’s championship.”
Next month’s Repco Bathurst 1000 will be Ojeda’s sixth start in the Great Race, following one with Garry Rogers Motorsport, three with Matt Stone Racing, and one with Erebus Motorsport.
