One of Brodie Kostecki's loudest supporters has lashed Supercars and Erebus Motorsport for its response to reports the champion has walked from the title-winning team.
A fracas between Kostecki and Erebus finally reached boiling point this week – and with it came confirmation that last year's champion will sit out the season opener.
Kostecki's participation in Supercars beyond the Bathurst 500 is unknown, although it has been suggested that he will miss the season in its entirety.
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Peter Adderon of Boost Mobile is a sponsor of Kostecki, a sponsor of Supercars events, and has become one of the only high-profile members of pit lane to speak out in the wake of the furore.
"I will not go into why Brodie will not race in 2024 with Erebus. That is his personal decision and I am sure when he is ready, explain why," wrote Adderton in an open letter.
"But the release yesterday did nothing (more) 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 people and we should always put the health and well-being 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.
"Thank God for some media journalists who are not afraid to print the truth. Let's hope we are all better than this cause right now. I am questioning if this sport is even worth saving."
Images of a NASCAR Cup Series Chevrolet Camaro sporting Kostecki's name were published by Adderton in the days before news of the blow-up broke.
In his open letter, Adderton said rumours of an impending move by Kostecki from Supercars to NASCAR orchestrated by the telco mogul were wide of the mark and "made up by some self-interested group trying to deflect the real issues."
Adderton said he does not currently have a deal with Kostecki and has not asked him to break his contract with Erebus.
Kostecki was already scheduled to contest select NASCAR Cup Series events with Richard Childress Racing alongside his Supercars commitments.
"First, the notion that we want him in the US flies in the face of reality," said Adderton.
"Brodie is a Boost Mobile-supported ambassador. He is paid and contracted by Boost Australia.
"Of course, we want to see him race in Australia and any other suggestion is made up and is trying to distract people from focusing in on the core issue."
"… all we discussed was only ever a few races in NASCAR for Brodie in 2024 and was not going to conflict with Supercar races here."
The Supercars season is scheduled to take place on February 23-25 at Mount Panorama.
Kostecki will be replaced by Todd Hazelwood for at least the first round of the championship.
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