Supercars legend Scott McLaughlin has blasted the sport's management over Brodie Kostecki's looming split with Erebus Motorsport, saying they should be "ashamed".
Kostecki, who secured his first Supercars championship in November, is set to sit out the upcoming season due to a dramatic falling out with Erebus.
Three-time Supercars champion McLaughlin, who left the Australian touring car circuit to race in IndyCar at the end of 2020, declared his full support for Kostecki.
"The sport should be ashamed," McLaughlin wrote on social media.
"They know the full story and as per usual side step around everything and don't say anything hoping the storm will settle like they always have. No protection for drivers ever."
Erebus released a statement on Wednesday suggesting Kostecki was still part of the team, although he wouldn't race the season-opening Bathurst 500 on February 23 as he's "not in a position to take part".
In a joint statement with Erebus, Supercars boss Shane Howard said : "We understand the gravity of Brodie's decision and the challenges he may be facing at this time".
Kostecki's messy split with Erebus means the last six Supercars champions won't be on the grid this season.
McLaughlin won three-straight titles between 2018 and 2020, while Shane van Gisbergen claimed back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022.
Van Gisbergen exited Supercars at the end of last season to join NASCAR.
