3 minute read
Reigning Supercars champion Brodie Kostecki will make a shock return for the next round in New Zealand after settling his dispute with Erebus Motorsport.
One of Brodie Kostecki's biggest supporters has claimed he was given an ultimatum before the reigning Supercars champion was able to make a shock return to Erebus.
Kostecki sat out the first two rounds at Bathurst and Melbourne due to a messy dispute with Erebus that threatened to split the relationship.
But in a surprise development on Monday, the 26-year-old was confirmed to be back in the driver's seat for Supercars' return to New Zealand this month.
"I'm excited to be back behind the wheel again. I needed some time away to prioritise my health." Kostecki said, thanking Erebus owner Betty Klimenko and CEO Barry Ryan for the "support, privacy and time" he had been afforded.
But Boost Mobile founder Peter Adderton has hit out at the reunion in an explosive social media post.
Adderton said Kostecki would no longer be displaying Boost on his helmet after claiming he had been told by Klimenko to remove it.
"We are disappointed and sad to be honest after all the years of support we gave Brodie and felt he would have said No," Adderton wrote on Instagram.
"Funny how bullying was at the center (sic) of the whole Brodie, Erebus Motorsport drama and making it a condition to remove us or you can't race. Go figure."
Ryan has not responded to Adderton's claims, but was delighted Kostecki had agreed to race at the opening of the Taupo track from April 19.
"On behalf of Betty and the team, we are pleased Brodie is ready to drive again," Ryan said.
"Having Brodie alongside Jack (Le Brocq) as he becomes more familiar with our cars will be a positive for our entire team."
Ryan also praised the efforts of Todd Hazelwood, who filled in during Kostecki's absence.
"A big thanks to Todd; he performed brilliantly under considerable pressure and scrutiny, so hats off to him," he 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."
Despite losing major sponsors and financial support amid the fallout from the saga, Erebus failed to directly address why their star driver had stepped away.
"We respect the privacy of Brodie ... and because of that we can't say anything," Klimenko said in February.
An emotional Ryan revealed the toll the saga had taken on him, just months after Kostecki had delivered Erebus their best ever season.
"At the end of last year, we were on top of the world. Everybody believed in us," Ryan said in February.
"To have people that decided that they didn't believe in us anymore, that hurts.
"There's been so much hate, and I'm not that sort of person. I'm not a bully."
Kostecki will take part in testing at Winton, in northern Victoria, this week to prepare for his first race of the season.
Erebus are fifth in the teams championship standings, with Red Bull Ampol pair Will Brown and Broc Feeney enjoying a dominant start to the season.
