Will Brown can still play a big part in delivering the Supercars title to Erebus, team owner Barry Ryan says, even if the driver has committed the ultimate betrayal of joining the "enemy".
With defending champion Shane van Gisbergen confirmed to be moving to the North American NASCAR circuit, Brown will from next season fill the prestigious Triple Eight seat.
His move comes after Erebus announced last Friday they were letting Brown go a year early from his contract so he could explore other opportunities.
Ryan said he was devastated by the decision, given the ongoing rivalry between Triple Eight and Erebus.
"Imagine you've got kids and your kid goes up to you and they go, 'You know that family you hate up the road? I'm going to live with them'," Ryan said on Friday ahead of the weekend Supercars action at Tailem Bend in South Australia.
"I can deal with it but that's how it feels. He's like my little brother.
"We'll get on with it professionally, 100 per cent. He's going to the enemy next year but this year, he's our mate.
"Will will be pushing hard to do what he can for the team. We're here to win both races."
Brown goes into the weekend second in the championship standings behind teammate Brodie Kostecki. Erebus also leads the team rankings.
Van Gisbergen sits third in the overall standings behind Kostecki and Brown, with his Triple Eight teammate Broc Feeney in fourth.
Kostecki has followed in Van Gisbergen's steps, making his NASCAR debut in Indianapolis in August.
Asked whether a move overseas was inevitable for Kostecki, Ryan called the question "stupid".
"Why would you talk about that crap? We're leading a championship," he said.
"If Brodie wants to go to America, he'll go to America but I don't think he wants to at the moment. He wants to tick some boxes."
Erebus has already solved its driver headache, with Jack Le Brocq lined up to take Brown's spot behind the wheel.
Matt Stone Racing (MSR) announced on Friday they will part ways with Le Brocq, who provided the team's first Supercars win in Darwin in June, at the end of the season.
"There’s five rounds to go this season, so my focus will remain on getting the best results we can right through until the chequered flag flies in Adelaide," Le Brocq said in a statement.
Saturday's sprint at The Bend Motorsport Park will mark the 600th Supercars race.
