Kostecki replaces Whincup for Race Of Champions

Dick Johnson Racing recruit Brodie Kostecki will replace Jamie Whincup at Team Australia Supercars for this week’s Race Of Champions.

Seven-time Supercars champion Whincup has withdrawn from the event amid the effects of Tropical Cyclone Alfred in south-east Queensland.

Whincup would have made his third start at ROC after competing in Bangkok in 2012 and Barbados in 2014.

In Whincup's absence, 2023 Supercars champion and 2024 Bathurst winner Kostecki will partner reigning Supercars champion Will Brown.

It reunites Kostecki and Brown, who were teammates at Erebus Motorsport between 2021 and 2023.

Kostecki and Brown join two-time Bathurst winner Chaz Mostert at the event, with Mostert an injury replacement for Swedish star Mattias Ekström.

"It was certainly a surprise and a little surreal to be honest when Fredrik [Johnsson, ROC President] called me to invite me to ROC Sydney,” Kostecki said.

“The field was set and I was already planning to stay at home on Friday and Saturday night to watch the telecast and cheer on the Australian teams - now I will be a part of it.

"Race Of Champions is such an iconic event and this might be the only chance I have to compete for Australia in front of a home crowd.

"I am sure Jamie would prefer to be in Sydney rather than having to ride out the storm, but can’t say I am disappointed that he has made the decision he has.

"I would like to thank the ownership of Shell V-Power Racing for not only allowing me to participate this weekend, but for being enthusiastic and supportive of the opportunity.”

Whincup added: "While I would love nothing more than to be at Accor Stadium racing in the ROC this weekend, the reality is that I need to be in Brisbane looking after my friends and family with Cyclone Alfred on the way.

"I wish everyone a great weekend at the ROC, but, more importantly, I wish for the safety of everyone in northern NSW and southeast Queensland as we brace for Mother Nature to show her own horsepower.”

Johnsson added: "Jamie has been a great friend of Race Of Champions for several years and was enormously supportive of us when we announced we would be coming to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

"We are obviously extremely disappointed that he won’t be able to represent Team Australia Supercars in front of his home crowd, but we understand his position and hope that he and the rest of the population affected by the cyclone are safe.

"At the same time we are excited to have Brodie accept our invitation at such short notice. Brodie is obviously a wonderful talent and has proven a race winner in most vehicles he has driven over the years.

"We would also like to extend our thanks to Shell V-Power Racing for being equally enthusiastic about Brodie being a part of this unique stadium spectacular."

Brown, Mostert and Kostecki are second, third and eighth in the Supercars standings heading to the next round in Melbourne on March 13-16.