Klimenko: 'Patient' Brown rewarded with podium

Erebus Motorsport team owner Betty Klimenko says Will Brown’s breakthrough podium was a product of patience.

Brown scored his first podium of the season in Race 25 at Sandown.

It was Brown’s first podium since his surprise Sydney victory last November.

Brown was 14th in the points after The Bend, and had just nine top 10s in 23 starts.

It was a contrast to teammate Brodie Kostecki, who had a pole and two podiums to his name this season.

Brown turned a corner at The Bend with consecutive top 10s, and scored a season-best fourth on Saturday.

Come Sunday, and Brown motored past David Reynolds late on to end a 280-day podium drought.

“It's a monkey off his back,” Klimenko told Supercars.com.

“He knew he could get it, he’s got the talent, he’s got everything.

“Everything aligned, and I’m so happy for him. He just had to have the patience.

“Karma seemed to step in every time he got close this year.

“Everyone knew he would get there, it was just about patience and timing.

“Being at home, it’s a great place for us for him to get his first podium of the year."

It comes three weeks after Erebus Motorsport re-signed Brown and Kostecki for 2023.

Erebus mechanics celebrate Brown's podium

The team’s faith paid off in 2021, with Brown and Kostecki helping Erebus have two drivers in the top 10 for the first time.

Klimenko reiterated the team was willing to be patient with their young starlets.

“We took a big chance taking on two rookies, instead of an established driver,” she said.

“If we don’t do that, and no one does that, how do we get new racers?

“Otherwise there’ll be old dinosaurs running around.

“You have to bring new people in. It’s worth going through some knocks in the first few years."

Kostecki and Brown are eighth and 13th respectively after Race 25.

The Penrite Oil Sandown SuperSprint will conclude with Race 26 at 4:20pm local time.