Supercars legend Shane van Gisbergen has weighed in on former rival Brodie Kostecki's "sad" looming split from Erebus Motorsport.
Van Gisbergen, who has his own controversial history with Erebus Motorsport, hinted he'd offer support to Kostecki as he prepares to sensationally exit the team he won his first championship for last year.
Kostecki's future with reigning teams champion seems doomed due to a falling out with management, including boss Barry Ryan.
But Erebus released a statement on Wednesday suggesting the 26-year-old was still part of the team, although he wouldn't race the season-opening Bathurst 500 as he's "not in a position to take part".
Van Gisbergen on Thursday weighed in via Instagram, noting Kostecki hadn't yet spoken publicly about his future.
"What a sad situation to read about in Australia right now with Brodie," the three-time champion, who bowed out of Supercars last year, wrote.
"I went through a similar situation 10 or so years ago - not being able to say much, plus the team and media setting the narrative out of your control is not fun.
"Full support here and hope that it works out the correct way, with Brodie enjoying driving race cars in 2024."
Van Gisbergen alluded to his own issues with Erebus when he had an 18-month legal fight with the team after he walked out on them at the end of the 2012 Supercars season mid-contract and signed with a different outfit.
The 34-year-old New Zealander will race in NASCAR this year, something that appears in the future for Kostecki after he made his series debut in 2023.
Erebus, who've said Todd Hazelwood will race in Kostecki's place in Bathurst on February 24 and 25, look set to have an all-new driving line-up after Will Brown also left in the off-season to join powerhouse outfit Red Bull Ampol.
Intriguingly, Hazelwood posted on social media he was excited to join Erebus in "2024 and ready for the challenge ahead", seemingly alluding to driving more than just the one race.
Kostecki's personal sponsor, Boost Mobile founder Peter Adderton, took exception to Erebus' statement that Kostecki would return to driving for them.
"I will not go into why Brodie will not race in 2024 with Erebus," Adderton wrote in an open letter on Instagram.
"That is his personal decision and I am sure when he is ready to explain why he will."
