Canto to partner Winterbottom at V8 enduros

As first mooted by Motorsport.com back in February, Prodrive has opted to pair Winterbottom and Canto together for the first time.

The decision comes thanks firstly to David Reynolds moving to Erebus, and secondly based on ergonomics, Winterbottom and Canto more similar in size than other potential pairings.

"It makes sense for a lot of reasons and I am really excited to be pairing up with him this year,” said Winterbottom.

“He's a really talented, reliable driver and he has always been one of those guys who I've wanted to drive with.

"He has a wealth of experience and is hungry to win races as well. He started Bathurst from pole position last year and did a fantastic job in that race.

"He might have the opportunity to start some races for us, who knows, but the best thing about him is that I know that when he gets in the car you know he's going to try and get you in the best possible position to close out the race."

Canto added: “It's great to have a bit of a change. I'm still going to be in green but with the 2015 champion in the Number 1 car.

“We've been team-mates for a long time now but haven't actually driven together so that'll be a fun experience.

"I've sat in countless engineering briefings with Mark and his engineer Jason [Gray] so I know of how they operate, but you never know what's going to be different with the car so getting these first few practice sessions in will be important."

Canto will drive the #1 Ford for the first time in practice at the Winton round in the middle of this month.

The 2016 Season of Endurance will be Canto’s eighth with the team, and follows a five-year stint paired with David Reynolds, who made an off-season switch to Erebus.

The Canto/Winterbottom move is the first in a re-shuffle for Prodrive, which is also likely to see Winterbottom’s 2015 co-driver switched over to Chaz Mostert’s #55 entry.