Hazelwood has 'unfinished business' with Erebus

Todd Hazelwood will return with "unfinished business" with Erebus Motorsport at this year's endurance races, with Brodie Kostecki returning to the team.

Erebus confirmed Monday that Kostecki will return with the team at the upcoming ITM Taupō Super400 on April 19-21.

The New Zealand event will be Kostecki's first since he clinched the 2023 championship on the streets of Adelaide last November.

In a shock revelation prior to the season start, Hazelwood was announced to deputise for the reigning champion at the Thrifty Bathurst 500, and returned for the MSS Security Melbourne SuperSprint, with Kostecki sitting out the first two rounds.

In a sensational development, Kostecki will return with Erebus in New Zealand, with Hazelwood set to return with the team at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 and Repco Bathurst 500.

There, Hazelwood will have extra motivation to perform, having impressed to ninth in the championship after two rounds, despite being parachuted in at late notice.

"It’s been an awesome two rounds racing for Erebus Motorsport but it’s time for BK to step in for NZ," Hazelwood posted to social media. "Glad to see Brodie Kostecki is fit and ready to go again and I’ll be back with the team for the enduro season later this year for some unfinished business."

In an Erebus statement, team CEO Barry Ryan praised Hazelwood for performing "brilliantly under considerable pressure and scrutiny" amid Kostecki's absence.

“A big thanks to Todd," Ryan said.

"He performed brilliantly under considerable pressure and scrutiny, so hats off to him.

"We look forward to having him at the test day this week and back in the seat for the enduros later in the year."

Hazelwood will continue his TransAm campaign at this weekend's Race Phillip Island, with the 28-year-old fourth in the standings after the opening two rounds.