Kostecki back for Erebus

Stunning return looming

Brodie Kostecki will make a stunning return for Erebus Motorsport at the next round in Taupo later this month to belatedly launch his Supercars championship defence.

Erebus confirmed on Monday the defending Supercars champion would be back behind the wheel for the team in New Zealand after missing the first two rounds of the season amid an apparent breakdown in relations with the team.

Kostecki (pictured) said in a team statement he had needed time away to “prioritise my health” and he was excited to get back behind the wheel again.

The 26-yearold will undertake a test day at Winton this week in preparation for his return.

Kostecki has been on the sidelines since the eve of the 2024 Supercars season and there had been fears the champion would not race again this year for Erebus.

Todd Hazelwood has subbed for Kostecki at the opening two rounds at the Bathurst 500 and in Melbourne at the Australian F1 Grand Prix alongside Jack Le Brocq.

Kostecki led Erebus to its first drivers’ and teams’ championship last year before the saga engulfed the squad and the series, but said he was now ready to hit the track for the first time this year.

“I’m excited to be back behind the wheel again. I needed some time away to prioritise my health,” Kostecki said in the statement.

“I’m grateful for the support, privacy and time Betty, Barry and the team have given me.”

Erebus Motorsport chief executive Barry Ryan said the team was excited to have Kostecki back on track.

“On behalf of Betty and the team, we are pleased Brodie is ready to drive again,” Ryan said. “Having Brodie back to work alongside Jack as he becomes more familiar with our cars will be a positive for our entire team.”

Ryan thanked Hazelwood, who will co-drive for the team at the Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000, for stepping in to fill Kostecki’s seat.

“A big thanks to Todd, he performed brilliantly under considerable pressure and scrutiny, so hats off to him,” Ryan said.

“We look forward to having him at the test day this week and back in the seat for the enduros later in the year.”

The episode has been costly for Erebus, which lost three of its key sponsors from last year amid the Kostecki saga.

In Kostecki’s absence, Triple Eight rivals Will Brown, Kostecki’s former teammate at Erebus Motorsport, and Broc Feeney, have taken the early lead in the Supercars’ championship, sitting first and second in the standings.