Supercars has suffered an apparent sponsorship blow in the wake of criticism for its role in reigning champion Brodie Kostecki’s contract saga.
The 26-year-old will miss the opening round at Bathurst this month and is likely to exit Erebus Motorsport without racing for the team this year.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Will Brown speaks out in support of Brodie Kostecki.
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Kostecki has so far remained silent while Erebus, Supercars, former rivals and a key personal backer speak out on the split.
Supercars in particular has faced backlash for alluding to ‘challenges’ facing Kostecki, with three-time champion Scott McLaughlin declaring “the sport should be ashamed”.
“They know the full story and as per usual sidestep around everything and don’t say anything, hoping the storm will settle like they always have. No protection for drivers ever,” McLaughlin wrote.
But the most costly piece of feedback appears to have come via Boost Mobile founder Peter Adderton.
“We have notified Supercars that we have ceased all discussions on extending our Gold Coast sponsorship beyond 2024,” he wrote.
The statement leaves open the possibility of reopening talks in the future but it nonetheless sends a strong message from the Kostecki camp while his future is up in the air.
Adderton accused Supercars officials of ‘playing the mental health card’ with their statement.
“I will not go into why Brodie will not race in 2024 with Erebus,” the Boost Mobile founder said on Thursday.
“That is his personal decision and I am sure when he is ready to explain why he will. But the release yesterday did nothing than show me how Supercars and Erebus are looking out for their own self interests ahead of a young driver.
“They know full well what is taking place and this statement by the Supercars CEO was so disappointing to me and not helpful.
“We are all human beings, and we should always put the health and wellbeing of each other above any commercial interests.
“We should respect the privacy of young athletes. To play the mental health card as Supercars did without first hearing from the driver is wrong on so many levels.
“I have been critical of teams and Supercars just wanting to hopefully drive a better sport for all of us who love the sport, but this latest attempt by Supercars and Erebus to try to distract fans and media is a new low point.”
Adderton’s American brand MobileX is backing the driver for his NASCAR cameos this year.
His Gold Coast decision follows significant movement in Erebus’s partnerships for the 2024 season amid the uncertainty around Kostecki.
The 2023 champions have reportedly lost top sponsor Shaw and Partners while Coca-Cola, which held naming rights to the team for the past two years, is also linked with an exit.
Erebus are among the teams yet to unveil a livery, and with it their major sponsor, for the upcoming campaign, which begins on February 24 live and free on Seven and 7plus.
The situation is in stark contrast to major rival Triple Eight launching their new design with Kostecki’s former teammate Will Brown behind the wheel for his first season with the team after switching from Erebus.
Brown confirmed he has reached out to Kostecki and, like McLaughlin and Shane van Gisbergen, showed unconditional support for the sidelined star.
“He’s a great mate of mine, he’s a true champion,” Brown told 7NEWS Brisbane.
“It’s really sad not to see him on the grid. We want the champ out there, he’s the benchmark right now and he needs to be on the grid — so something needs to be sorted.
“I hope (we see him back in Supercars this year), I really hope so. He lives and breathes racing and I know he’d want to be out there.”
Brown was initially contracted to drive alongside Kostecki at Erebus this year.
But he secured a release — despite leading the championship at the time — when Triple Eight came calling as they sought to replace the NASCAR-bound van Gisbergen.
Brown’s new teammate Broc Feeney has also checked in with Kostecki, as has Triple Eight boss Jamie Whincup.
