The 2024 Supercars Championship season may begin without defending Brodie Kostecki on the grid, according to reports from Australian media.
The defending champion, who took six wins and a further 12 podiums in 2023, appears set to depart Erebus Motorsport, with rumours of discontent between the two parties.
He has one year remaining on his contract but may withdraw from the season just one month from the first round at Mount Panorama.
It’s suggested that last-minute talks are taking place this week for the team to convince him to stay for the campaign.
Todd Hazelwood may be the benefactor if Kostecki’s departure comes to fruition, with the former Blanchard Racing Team driver having appeared likely for a stint in the Porsche Carrera Cup.
Publishers motorsport.com have reported tensions in the Erebus team since August’s round at The Bend, where Kostecki won all three races.
As the defending Teams’ Champions, Erebus appears set to have a completely new lineup in 2024, with Will Brown having departed to Triple Eight to replace NASCAR-bound Shane van Gisbergen.
Jack Le Brocq has since signed a full-time deal with the outfit.
What 2024 holds for Kostecki remains to be seen, but the 26-year-old has competed in the North American scene before, including a NASCAR round on the Indianapolis Road Course in August last year.
Richard Childress has indicated the Supercars champion would compete in five cup events this year for his team and was present at the Adelaide 500, where he took a lap as a passenger in Kostecki’s car.
Erebus Motorsport has already confirmed a new Team Principal, Brad Tremain, for the season.
