Erebus Motorsport loses sponsors Coca-Cola, Shaw and Partners as Brodie Kostecki speculation persists

Another day, another drama for Supercars’ title-winning Team Erebus, who have copped another blow in a nightmare week that started with Brodie Kostecki’s shock decision to quit the team.

Erebus Motorsport has lost its naming rights sponsor from its title-winning year after Coca-Cola confirmed it has ended its partnership with the team.

The soft-drink giant became the latest company to confirm it had parted ways with the Supercars team in the wake of the Brodie Kostecki fall-out.

The team’s other major sponsor, financial services firm Shaw and Partners, confirmed on Friday it had also ended its partnership with Erebus.

Erebus Motorsport competed under the name Coca-Cola Racing by Erebus during the 2023 season when the squad won the drivers’ and teams’ championships.

Coca-Cola said in a statement it had ended its Erebus sponsorship, effective immediately, but the decision would not impact its other existing agreements with Supercars.

“After careful consideration, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has made the difficult decision to end the company’s partnership with Erebus Motorsport, effective immediately,” a Coca-Cola Europacific Partners spokesperson said in a statement provided to News Corp.

Brodie Kostecki’s split from Team Erebus has kicked off a nightmare week for the Supercars champions. Picture: Getty

“We wish Erebus Motorsport and the drivers every success for the 2024 season and beyond.

“This decision relates only to our partnership with Erebus Motorsport and does not affect other existing agreements we have with the Australian Supercars Championship and Australian motorsport more broadly.

“We have a long and proud history of supporting Australian motorsport spanning more than 50 years and look forward to building on this through our existing and future partnerships in the sport.”

Erebus Motorsport team members celebrate after Brodie Kostecki claimed pole position during the Bathurst 1000. Picture: Getty

After it emerged last week Kostecki was on the brink of a shock split from Erebus, the team confirmed the defending champion would not race in the season-opening round at the Bathurst 500 later this month.

Kostecki’s racing future beyond the first round remains unclear, but there is doubt he will return to the grid for the team this year.

The reigning champion has yet to make any comment on the situation, while Erebus said last week he remained “part of the Erebus Motorsport family” and a “valued member of our team”.

Todd Hazelwood will stand-in for Kostecki at the Bathurst 500.

TITLE TO TURMOIL: EREBUS ROCKED BY MORE OFF-TRACK DRAMA

Erebus Motorsport’s off-track issues are escalating with at least one of its key sponsors leaving the title-winning Supercars team.

After it was confirmed defending champion Brodie Kostecki would not race for Erebus in the opening round amid doubt over his future with the GM squad, it can be revealed one of the team’s top backers will no longer be sponsoring the 2023 Supercars championship team.

Financial services group Shaw and Partners confirmed on Friday it would not be backing Erebus in 2024, while there are also rumblings the team’s lucrative naming rights deal with major sponsor Coca-Cola is also in doubt.

Team Erebus Motorsport celebrates its championship win last year. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Coca-Cola was contacted for comment, but was unable to confirm its position before the time of publication.

The branding of both companies was prominent on the Erebus Camaros driven by title winner Kostecki and his former teammate Will Brown, who left to join rivals Triple Eight, last season.

Shaw and Partners confirmed it had informed Erebus earlier this week the company would not be backing the team this year, but would not elaborate any further.

“We have just decided to go our separate ways and wish them all the best for the future,” a Shaw and Partners spokesperson said.

“We have had a great four-year association with them and we wish them all the best.”

Brodie Kostecki’s future has been the subject of intense speculation. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

It would leave Erebus hunting for new sponsors less than a month out from the start of the season at the Bathurst 500.

Erebus said in a statement: “We deeply value all of our partners, both past and present. Erebus Motorsport has announcements on our 2024 partnership program planned for the coming weeks.”

Erebus released a statement on Wednesday saying Kostecki was “not in a position” to race in the opening round, but remained a “part of the Erebus Motorsport family” and a “valued member of our team”.

Todd Hazelwood will stand-in for Kostecki for the season-opening round at the Bathurst 500, but there is doubt the reigning champion will make a return at all this year.

If Kostecki does not make a return to the grid, it would leave Supercars without its past four championship-winning drivers on track.

Shane van Gisbergen (NASCAR) and Scott McLaughlin (IndyCar) made the switch to racing in the United States, while Jamie Whincup is now team boss of Triple Eight.

Originally published as Erebus Motorsport loses sponsors Coca-Cola, Shaw and Partners as Brodie Kostecki speculation persists