Tickford Racing has taken the wraps off its Ford Falcon FGX to be campaigned by Mark Winterbottom in the 2018 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.

The Melbourne squad has uncovered an evolution of last year’s livery featuring more flashes of white compared to previous seasons.

Winterbottom’s Falcon will continue to be backed by liquor retailer The Bottle-O, which is entering its 12th season in the sport.

This season the 2015 champion is eager to bounce back from a difficult campaign that saw him end the year sixth in the standings and without a race win.

“I always love this time of the year,” said Winterbottom.

“It’s like the first day of school. As a driver you’re always wanting to get back in the car, and I’m ready to get the new season started.

“Obviously 2017 was a struggle for us, but we finished the year pretty strong which was good. I know we’ve got the ability to run up front, so I’m extremely motivated to get to the pointy end and stay there.”

Tickford confirmed on Wednesday that Winterbottom will be sharing garages with Chaz Mostert again instead of Cameron Waters as per last season.

“It doesn’t make much difference at all, to be honest, but we have a really good working relationship and ’15 was the last time we were together and it worked really well,” Winterbottom told Speedcafe.com.

“It’s good that some of his guys in his garage have moved over as well and the data guy on my car was in that garage.

“Although you’re separate garages, a lot of continuity’s come across so it’s good.

“We’ll work close together, but as soon as you walk from the garage to the truck, it’s all four of you together.

“You’ve got to push each other for boom position and stuff like that, and you’ve got to work together really well, so I think it’ll be a good thing for the team and should boost both of us probably a little bit more and hopefully it works out.”

Tickford is expected to reveal the liveries of its remaining entries for Cameron Waters and Richie Stanaway in the lead-up to the Adelaide 500 season opener from March 1-4.

The operation is also due to reveal its Pirtek Enduro Cup driver pairings in due course after confirming new recruit David Russell this week, who will join James Moffat, Steve Owen and Dean Canto.