Hazelwood reacts to call-up, hails 'superhuman' Kostecki
Todd Hazelwood reacts to call-up, hails "superhuman" Brodie Kostecki
Kostecki ruled out of Darwin Sunday, co-driver Hazelwood called-up
Hazelwood had subbed in for Kostecki for weekend commitments
Todd Hazelwood has shed light on the sequence of events that led to his mid-event substitution for Brodie Kostecki, who has been ruled out of Darwin Sunday.
The Shell V-Power Racing Team confirmed Sunday morning that Hazelwood will stand in for Kostecki, who is fighting a virus.
Kostecki received medical attention after fighting to third in Saturday afternoon's race. On Sunday morning, Dick Johnson Racing confirmed he will not contest the day’s action.
Hazelwood, Kostecki’s Ryco Enduro Cup co-driver, has been named as the replacement, having already been on-site in Darwin through his Trans Am commitments. Hazelwood had already stood in for Kostecki for a series of commitments, including the Track to Town and signing sessions.
The 2024 Bathurst winner revealed he was informed before Sunday morning’s Trans Am race that he would need to be ready, should Kostecki be ruled out.
"I knew Brodie was unwell probably a week ago when we caught up at a sponsor event,” Hazelwood told Supercars.com.
“Obviously been talking with him and monitoring his situation. I’m always here to help Brodie wherever I can. I helped out a lot on early in the week with Track to Town and tried to give him some time.
“The team's been communicating with me that there is potentially a possibility of having to jump in, particularly this morning.
“The team made me aware when I was doing run-up with my Trans Am car this morning, and they said be ready depending on what Brodie feels like.”
Hazelwood stood in for Kostecki in the opening rounds of 2024 during their time at Erebus Motorsport.
Kostecki’s efforts in Darwin weren’t lost on Hazelwood, who is determined to do the best job he can for Kostecki and the Ford team.
"Brodie's done a superhuman effort already to get through this weekend, with the illness that he's suffering with,” Hazelwood said.
"I'm gutted for him. I'd much rather him be in the car for Car 17 than myself on a Sunday here at Darwin. But, the positive side is at least I'm in Darwin. I’ve been racing all weekend, so it's not like I'm jumping in completely cold.
“But it has been four months since I drove the Supercar at the test day, so I’m well aware that I've just gotta learn fast and get myself up to speed as quick as I can.
“I want to try and do a solid job for the team here at Shell V-Power Racing and for our sponsors and our supporters, and most importantly, fly the flag for the number 17 for Brodie today."
