The Pepsi Max Crew FPR has been unveiled at a high-profile launch party in Melbourne where the new relationship between Ford Performance Racing and Pepsi Max was presented for the first time ahead of the 2013 V8 Supercars season.

The event saw the team’s new Car of the Future Falcons and drivers Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison unveiled in their Pepsi Max colours in front of close to 250 guests.

Ford’s factory team will benefit from a stable driver and team line-up with Winterbottom and Davison entering their third season together.

This season is Winterbottom’s eighth with FPR and he is excited by the team’s new look, new cars and fresh approach to the season.

Davison is coming off the back of his best ever season and is also a big fan of the team’s change in look.

FPR’s split livery reflects fire and ice with its two very distinct halves – ‘Frosty’ Winterbottom appropriately representing the ice side and Davison the fire.

The team’s launch livery was created by Hooks, a respected graffiti artist and member of the worldwide graffiti crew, F1 in conjunction with graphic designer Nick Moss.

Hooks and Moss were assisted by Winterbottom and Davison who had significant input into the theme of the design.

FPR Team Principal Tim Edwards welcomed the team’s new look and is keen to build on last season’s form while also showing off the team’s new image and approach off track.

Edwards believes the fun and youthful approach of Pepsi Max will have a positive effect on the whole team and its fanbase.

PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand Marketing Director, Kim McConnie, was present at the launch and heralded the new relationship which she believes will be a winner from the outset.

The Pepsi Max FPR Crew will take to the track in its new colours for the first time next Saturday at Sydney Motorsport Park during the official V8 Supercars season launch test day.

Mark Winterbottom – #5 Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford:

“This year is in many ways all about a fresh approach in how we look and certainly with the new cars the racing will be different, though importantly the core members of the team are the same so importantly we have stability off track. Nobody knows what will happen this year with so many new things but the team has done a good job to be in such a strong position with the new car. I really like the new look and Pepsi Max is a cool brand to be racing with so I think we are going to have some fun this year. I can’t wait to get started.”

Will Davison – #6 Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford:

“This is certainly the wildest looking race car I’ve ever had but to think I had a part in designing it is really neat and it is a fresh approach by a factory team. We are right on top of the development of the new car and while we will be racing soon enough, tonight is a good chance to soak up all the hard work that has gone into getting the team’s new look ready and it is great to see so many people here sharing it with us. Last year proved we can lead from the front and I know those experiences will only make us all stronger this year.”

Tim Edwards – Pepsi Max Crew FPR Team Principal:

“Our new deal with Pepsi Max comes at a great time for the team and the series. An all-new look and one that is much younger, fresher and more fun reflects where the Ford brand has been heading for some time. It is also in-tune with our own feeling within the team where we have a huge amount of talented young people working together. No matter what we do we will always be faithful to the Ford brand and I encourage all our fans to embrace the new look and get right behind us as the sport enters a new era.”

Kim McConnie – PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand Marketing Director:

“We’re really excited to be working with the team at Ford Performance Racing in 2013 and beyond. We’ve been involved in the V8 Supercar Series for two years now and have loved every minute, the noise, the speed and the passion of the fans is unrivalled anywhere else in Australian sport. Working with FPR means that we’ll have not only have two cars but hopefully two cars at the front of the grid and plenty of podium finishes.”