Hunter or hunted? Brown weighs up 2025 chances

Running the #1 is a badge of honour for Will Brown, but the reigning Supercars champion feels his rivals are already hunting him down to take it away.

Brown will roll out at this weekend's Thrifty Sydney 500 - Opening Round as the one to beat on paper, having closed out last year's championship in Adelaide.

The Queenslander has had a strong start to the year, being awarded Toowoomba's highest civil honour and becoming the first Australian in 50 years to win the New Zealand Grand Prix.

In another win of sorts, had the Finals Series format been in play last year, Brown would have won the championship anyway.

Everything seems to be coming up Will Brown, but the driver himself knows he can't take a backward step.

"Last year, when we got the lead in the championship, I feel like people are already hunting,” he told media in Sydney.

“So, I don't think it's too different this year. But it’s all just a reset right now. Having the number one on is amazing but we'll see it the first round if we can hopefully try and get that championship lead again."

Brown is also chasing his first Bathurst 1000 victory, finishing a distant third last year in a race dominated by former teammate Brodie Kostecki and current teammate Broc Feeney.

Feeney won more races than Brown last season, but the latter's consistency was the hallmark of his title win. Brown became the first driver in 40 years to claim a podium finish at every round.

When asked of he can go back-to-back, Brown said. "Yeah, definitely. You want to try and win the championship again, you want to try and win Bathurst, but there’s 24 other guys out there that want to do that as well.

"So, it's not an easy feat, but really enjoying it. Hopefully we can, it’d be great to go back to back this year. But, like I say, it's not easy."

Brown's title defence will get underway with a 100km sprint race on Friday night in Sydney, where he won his very first Supercars race back in 2021.

"I can't wait. Getting to Sydney will be awesome. Obviously, night races are great, a lot of people like coming out,” Brown said

“Running the number one for the first time, hopefully it's a bit of a party this weekend and people come out and come to the concert. It'll be cool."

Supercars action will commence at 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.