'They're quicker than us': Brown surprised by Kostecki comments

Will Brown has labelled Brodie Kostecki's post-qualifying comments as an "interesting one."

Shell V-Power Racing Team star Kostecki powered to provisional pole in an enthralling Boost Mobile Qualifying session on Friday afternoon.

However, Kostecki cut a frustrated figure in the press conference, claiming Ford was still at a performance disadvantage. Naturally, it set off a chain reaction of questions, with Ryan Wood weighing in, and Jamie Whincup refusing to make comment.

Reigning champion Brown is good friends with Kostecki, and the two co-host their new podcast, Lucky Dogs.

However, when asked about his mate's remarks on Saturday morning, Brown was confused, given how close the session was, and that Kostecki was quickest.

"Yeah, it's an interesting one. After getting pole, to make those comments and not just celebrate it is a very interesting way to go about it," Brown said before Practice 5.

"I think their team's obviously unhappy, but funny thing is, they're quicker than us in both straight line sectors on the time sheet.

"It's a weird one, and it's the closest top 10 I've ever seen at Bathurst, and I think we've ever seen.

"So, I think just get into the racing and everyone put their heads down and have a good race and leave that side out of it.

"Unless they think they're four tenths better than the field, I think we've got parity."

Kostecki is a hot favourite to claim a hat-trick of Bathurst poles, having topped both Shootouts in 2023 and 2024 aboard an Erebus Motorsport Chevrolet.

Brown was more disappointed over his own performance, qualifying 12th and missing the top 10 for the 11th time in 27 attempts this season.

Teammate Broc Feeney was second, and extended his head-to-head lead over Brown to a staggering 25-2.

"[Kostecki] seemed pretty happy last year, he said they're just a bunch of whingers," Brown joked.

"But to be honest, I don't wanna get too into it, because I think that it was competitive. I think it was an awesome qualifying session that everyone at home and all the fans should have really enjoyed to see it be that tight.

"I don't think any other category in the world is as tight as our category, so hopefully we can just get on with the racing and have a good race."

Kostecki doubled down on his comments before Practice 5, saying on the broadcast: "We just put in our best efforts forward from the directive from the category on what areas to focus on.

"But, it's pretty evident where the problem lies. And, there's a separate issue coming to this altitude. So it's very, very technical, but they published a paper and nothing's been done about it."

When asked by Mark Larkham about how data showed the #38 Ford was quicker that the #88 on the straights, Kostecki added: You've done three pieces to camera saying how close parity is, but we keep getting adjustments.

"So, at the end of the day, there still is a deficit. I've been pretty vocal from day one that there's been differences... it just needs to be fixed."