Russell's continued reward after Erebus call
Supercars
24 Sep
Kostecki has two podiums with Kostecki since 2021
Kostecki/Russell second in Sandown 500
Russell debuted in 2003 Bathurst 1000
In three enduro starts with Erebus Motorsport, David Russell has finishes of third, fourth and second, further proving a leap of faith with the team was the right call.
Russell has firmed as one of the most reliable co-drivers in recent years, forming a strong partnership with Brodie Kostecki.
The two drivers are 15 years apart in age, but Russell has proven a strong foil for Kostecki, who is now in the box seat to win this year’s championship.
The Kostecki/Russell combo has delivered third (2021) and fourth (2022) placings at Mount Panorama, and runner-up at least weekend’s Penrite Oil Sandown 500.
For Russell, the performance has justified his decision to join Erebus after a call with team boss Barry Ryan, despite being in talks with another team.
“When Barry first rang me three years ago, I'd already had some discussions with another team,” Russell said.
“He told me who I’d be driving with, and pretty much in that same phone call… I said, ‘Don’t worry about that, I’ll sort that out’.
“It’s been great to be his co-driver, and also be part of Erebus in what has been a building phase, then into Gen3.
“We know that there was a result that went by the wayside a bit today, but to be P2, it’s still pretty good.
“And for Bush to continue to get championship points, it’s still pretty good.”
Russell’s Supercars story is as unique as they come, with the Casino-born driver debiuting at Mount Panorama as a fresh-faced 21-year-old with Fernandez Motorsport in 2003.
Remarkably, he had to wait seven more years for Bathurst start No. 2, racing alongside Jonathon Webb with Tekno Autosports.
A seven-year run with Kelly Racing followed, highlighted by eighth with Rick Kelly in 2014. He joined Tickford Racing alongside Cam Waters in 2018, but the relationship lasted a single season with Russell taken out by Chaz Mostert early at Forrest’s Elbow.
Russell missed out altogether in 2019, and retired early from the 2020 race alongside Garry Jacobson with Matt Stone Racing after an engine failure.
In 11 Bathurst starts before he joined Erebus in 2021, Russell’s record read two top 10s, five finishes below 15th, and four DNFs — but Erebus saw something else in the veteran.
“We’ve got a really good record together, D-Russ has the experience to always put the right foot forward,” Kostecki said.
“That’s something that’s so important in these races, they’re so long, there’s a lot of risk you can take during these races.
“They don’t always play out. He always seems to be on the right end of it, and he showed good speed today as well.
“It’s a really good dynamic between us. The continuity over the last few years is important coming in with this new generation of car."
