Kostecki in shock Erebus return
Reigning Australian Supercars champion Brodie Kostecki is to make a shock return to the series at Taupo in New Zealand next week with Erebus Motorsport.
Kostecki dramatically stood aside from the opening rounds of the series at Bathurst and Albert Park, with Todd Hazelwood driving his Chevrolet Camaro alongside Jack Le Brocq. Hazelwood is now expected to return to his original role as an endurance co-driver.
“I’m excited to be back behind the wheel again – I needed some time away to prioritise my health,” said Kostecki in a team statement. “I’m grateful for the support, privacy and time Betty [Klimenko, team owner], Barry [Ryan, CEO] and the team have given me.”
During the time Kostecki was sitting out the early rounds of the series, a number of the team’s sponsors departed, including
Coca-cola and legal firm Shaw & Partners.
In the statement, Ryan said: “On behalf of Betty and the team, we are pleased Brodie is ready to drive again. Having Brodie back to work alongside Jack as he becomes more familiar with our cars will be a positive for our entire team.”
In the six races that Kostecki sat out, the team’s best result has been a fifth place by Le Brocq at Albert Park.
Kostecki’s return has infuriated
Boost Mobile founder and long-time motorsport supporter Peter Adderton, who sponsored the 26-year-old and publically spoke of allegations of bullying within the team. As a result he has announced plans to withdraw from the sport. “The motorsport culture in Australia is toxic and all about people’s own self-interest, which is fine, but stop as an industry pretending you are all about the fans and the sport,” he said.