Supercars 2024: Reigning champion Brodie Kostecki’s shock quit threat, NASCAR rumour

The intrigue around Brodie Kostecki’s threat to quit Erebus Motorsport has deepened – with a former rival, and chief backer, both weighing in on the reigning Supercars champion’s threat.

Brodie Kostecki backer Peter Adderton has hit out at Erebus Motorsport and Supercars for their response to the defending champion’s future with the title-winning team as Shane van Gisbergen offered his support for his former rival on the track.

A major supporter of Kostecki, the businessman also shot down suggestions he is behind a push for the 26-year-old to break his Erebus Motorsport contract and instead race in NASCAR in the US this year.

In a bombshell that has rocked Supercars a month out from the start of the season, Kostecki will not race for Erebus in the season-opening race at the Bathurst 500 and it is unclear when, or if, he will return to the grid for the team this year.

Kostecki is yet to comment on the reported falling out with his squad, while Erebus only released a short statement on Wednesday that said its star driver “was not in a position” to race in the first round and Todd Hazelwood would stand in for him.

Brodie Kostecki is yet to comment on the reported falling out with his squad. Picture: NCA NewsWire

In an open letter on social media, Adderton lashed Erebus and Supercars for their response to the situation but would not reveal any details behind the split between the championship-winning driver and team.

Adderton suggested Kostecki would not be returning to the grid for the squad this year, despite the team stating he remained “part of the Erebus Motorsport family”.

“I will not go into why Brodie will not race in 2024 with Erebus,” Adderton wrote on Instagram.

“That is his personal decision and I am sure when he is ready to explain why, he will.

“But the release yesterday did nothing than show me how Supercars and Erebus are looking out for their own self-interests ahead of a young driver.

“They know full well what is taking place and this statement by the Supercars CEO was so disappointing to me and not helpful.

“We are all human beings and we should always put the health and wellbeing of each other above any commercial interests.”

Adderton’s comments came as van Gisbergen, who has made the move to the US to start his NASCAR career, also offered his support for Kostecki, who beat him to last year’s championship title.

“What a sad situation to read about in Australia right now with Brodie Kostecki,” van Gisbergen wrote on his social media.

“I went through a similar situation 10 or so years ago – not being able to say much, plus the team and media setting the narrative out of your control is not fun.

“Full support here and hope that it works out the correct way, with Brodie enjoying driving race cars in 2024.”

Adderton also dismissed the chatter of him pushing a Kostecki switch to NASCAR as “rumours … trying to deflect the real issues”.

Adderton’s MobileX brand sponsored Kostecki’s Cup Series debut last year and he posted images to his social media of a NASCAR with his branding and Kostecki’s name on the windshield just days ago.

Brodie Kostecki (L) has found support from former rival Shane van Gisbergen. Picture: Getty

Kostecki was already being targeted for up to five NASCAR Cup series appearances by Richard Childress Racing in 2024 after his cameo with the team last year.

“There are many rumours out there that the reason behind Brodie not driving for Erebus is due to an offer made by me to drive in NASCAR with our MobileX brand and him wanting out of his contract,” Adderton wrote on Instagram.

“This is nothing more than a rumour made up by some self-interested group trying to deflect the real issues.

“For the record, we have no deal and have never asked Brodie to break any contract, nor has Brodie asked us to.

“First, the notion that we want him in the US flies in the face of reality. Brodie is a Boost Mobile Australia supported ambassador.

“He is paid and contracted by Boost Australia. Of course, we want to see him race in Australia and any other suggestion is made up and is trying to distract people from focusing on the core issue.

“Would we like to see an Australian driver in NASCAR? Yes. Would we like to support other Australian drivers going overseas to show the world what Australian drivers are all about? Yes.

“In fact, we should all want that but we discussed a few races for Brodie in 2024 and … this was not going to conflict with Supercars races.”

EREBUS BAULKS AT KOSTECKI DEPARTURE BOMBSHELL

– By Rebecca Williams

Defending champion Brodie Kostecki will not race for Erebus Motorsport in the opening race of the season, but the title-winning team is adamant he will remain a part of the squad.

Responding to speculation about Kostecki’s future with the team, Erebus released a short statement on Wednesday confirming the champion would not race in the season-opening Bathurst 500, but remained a “valued member of our team”.

It comes after the pre-season bombshell that Kostecki was on the brink of a shock split from Erebus after a falling out with the team, headed by chief executive Barry Ryan.

Erebus said Kostecki had indicated he was “not in a position to take part” in the first round of the season, in which he would start as the reigning champion for the first time.

Brodie Kostecki isn’t going anywhere according to Erebus. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Todd Hazelwood will stand-in for Kostecki for the opening race, but the team did not reveal how long this arrangement would remain in place beyond round one.

Kostecki had a contract in place with Erebus until the end of 2024.

“Contrary to media reports, Brodie Kostecki remains part of the Erebus Motorsport family and is a valued member of our team,” the Erebus statement read.

“Brodie has indicated he’s not in a position to take part in the opening round of the 2024 Supercars Championship.

“Todd Hazelwood will stand in for Brodie at the Bathurst 500 from February 23-25.”

It means Erebus will have two new drivers on the grid for the opening round.

Hazelwood, who lost his seat at Blanchard Racing Team at the end of last year, will team up with Jack Le Brocq, who joined the team as the replacement for Will Brown.

Brown secured an early release from the final year of his contract to join rivals Triple Eight for 2024 as Shane van Gisbergen’s replacement.

Kostecki claimed his maiden Supercars championship last year, ending the reign of van Gisbergen, while also helping Erebus Motorsport to its first teams’ championship.

Kostecki claimed his maiden Supercars championship last year. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Supercars CEO Shane Howard said the category understood Kostecki’s situation, but hoped to see him back on the grid.

“We understand the gravity of Brodie’s decision and the challenges he may be facing at this time,” Howard said.

“On behalf of everyone at Supercars, we wish Brodie all the best, and we sincerely hope to witness his return to the Repco Supercars Championship in the future.

“In the meantime, we extend our support to Erebus as they navigate the start of the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship with Todd Hazelwood and Jack Le Brocq driving for the team.

“Defending a Championship title is never an easy task, but we are confident in Erebus’s ability to adapt and continue their pursuit of success on the track.”