The 'strict' regimen that has transformed Kostecki

Brodie Kostecki says an intense off-season was key to his preparation and dedication to his second full-time season.

Kostecki opened his 2022 account with a bang, scoring his fourth career podium in Sydney on Sunday.

It came after the Erebus Motorsport driver recorded a maiden ARMOR ALL Pole Position.

Kostecki made his full-time debut in 2021 and scored podiums at Sandown, Sydney and Bathurst.

Having secured runner-up trophies last year, Kostecki made it clear that victory was his primary goal in 2022.

In a bid to achieve that goal, Kostecki revealed to Supercars.com that he has employed a strict diet and training regimen to sharpen his tools.

"Going through karting I was always one of the bigger drivers. I’m built pretty wide," he said after Sunday’s race.

"That's always sort of been a bit of a struggle for me, so I’ve been pretty strict in the off-season to prepare for this year.

"The team has put in a lot of effort in the off-season, because we tasted a bit of success last year; but going into this year, we want to raise the bar.

"Instead of doing all the hunting, we want to be the hunted at some stage.

"I'm definitely strict on my diet. I've had to cut out all carbohydrates, all sorts of breads, no pastas or and no sugar whatsoever.

"I’ll still have a lolly here or there at the racetrack, but I’m staying pretty strict because I want to make sure that I’m showing the team that I'm putting in the same amount of effort.”

It comes after Kostecki lost 20kg in 2020 prior to his full-time debut, something he says helped him last year.

"Through the back half off last season I did drop a bit of weight, and I've sort of continued that progress,” he explained.

"Mid-way through last year, Paul Morris put me on to someone who's had a lot of knowledge and has worked with some pretty big names in motorsport and MotoGP.

“He helped me get on to a track where I'm sort of wasn't sort of miserable.

"More and more weight is coming off, which is fantastic.

"I haven't noticed too much difference inside the car, but definitely in my day-to-day living.

"It's a bit more structured now with how I train and how I eat.

"I think that's been more important to how I've been feeling, not just my diet.”

His new fitness regimen coincided with his podium finish at Sydney Motorsport Park last November before finishing third in the Bathurst 1000.

The 24-year-old said he is living by the 'if you’re not first you’re last’ rule in a bid to prove his dedication to the team.

"Everyone's got to put in the equal amount of effort,” he said.

"We have such a great team, it's such a great atmosphere where everyone's so passionate, and it wouldn't work without everyone being so passionate about what they're doing.

"On the scale to some of the other teams that we've been chasing, we are probably 50 per cent of what they are in terms of numbers back at the workshop.

"So, it's also my job as well, to show that I'm putting in the same amount of effort as what everyone else is.”

Kostecki heads to this month’s trip to Symmons Plains fourth in the standings, with Erebus teammate Will Brown seventh.

The 2022 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint. CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets.

Every session of the event will be broadcast live on Foxtel (Fox Sports 506) and streamed on Kayo.