Kostecki opens up on surprise Johnson link, joining Ford

Racing a Ford and using a number close to his eponymous team owner’s heart has Brodie Kostecki aware of the weight of expectation at Dick Johnson Racing.

The 2023 Supercars champion is quickly settling into life at DJR, helping his team unveil its new-look Shell V-Power Racing Team Ford Mustang livery on Thursday, before featuring at Saturday's fan day.

There, the 2024 Bathurst winner was presented to fans for the first time wearing Shell V-Power colours, with Kostecki joined by Will Davison, co-drivers Todd Hazelwood and Tony D'Alberto, and Johnson.

Kostecki has already embedded himself into the team, visiting its Stapylton headquarters and working with engineers George Commins ahead of a shakedown at Queensland Raceway, and upcoming test day and Round 1 in Sydney.

Speaking at Thursday's launch, the 27-year-old said he was beginning to feel at home at his new team, and was excited at the prospect of racing Mustangs for the first time.

“It's been great to meet everyone for the first time, about two weeks ago and to get familiar with everyone's names, faces,” Kostecki said.

“We've been having a great time the last two weeks building the cars and getting prepared for the start of the season. A lot of hard work's going on behind the scenes and we look forward to hit the ground running come race time at Sydney.

“I'm very proud to be representing the Ford brand. It’s very exciting for me to get behind the wheel of the Ford Mustang for the first time.”

Kostecki has already been given a chance to add to Johnson's own racing history, with the star signing to race with the #38, a number close to both drivers.

Johnson's first race number at Lakeside in 1964 was the #38, which Kostecki campaigned to success in the Super2 Series with Eggleston Motorsport 56 years later.

When asked about Johnson's own history with the #38, Kostecki admitted he wasn't aware, adding: "I was not really quite sure about the history of the number.

"I thought it was just a nice gesture to my past in Super2, but wow, what a match made in heaven to be running the number 38. Means a lot to myself and also DJ's first ever race number.”

The new-look Shell V-Power Mustangs will complete a shakedown at Queensland Raceway on February 13, before the pre-season test day at Sydney Motorsport Park on February 19, and Thrifty Sydney 500 - Opening Round on February 21-23.

Tickets for the test day and Sydney 500 - Opening Round are available now.