Prologue: The 2025 BTCC Season Part 2

The driver market is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in BTCC history with almost every team shaking up their driver roster.

The driver lineups for the upcoming BTCC season are slowly beginning to take shape as several drivers have already been confirmed across the winter break, but who is making moves and who is remaining with their current setup.

Manufacturer Entries

BMW

2024 was a successful year for BMW winning the manufacturers and drivers titles being taken by the only rear wheel driven car on the grid. Continuing their partnership with Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, they looked all but certain to continue a strong and healthy relationship with the reigning BTCC drivers champion Jake Hill, resigning with the team in November with the hope to lead Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport to his second consecutive BTCC Drivers Championship and BMW to another Manufacturers Title.

Meanwhile, it’s all change in the rest of BMW as Daryl DeLeon makes the step up to the manufacturer outfit, with the 19-year-old being the youngest driver for the team since 2007 with Tom Onslow-Cole. More news came out of the BMW camp in the days to follow with the departure of Adam Morgan after a four-year stint with the manufacturer and the announcement of a new partnership LKQ Euro Car Parts as they join forces with WSR to run two BMWs for 2025. With the announcement it looked almost set in stone that Aiden Moffat would remain with the LKQ Euro Car Parts and join them in there BMW partnership leaving them with only one TBL left to fill heading into the new year with the Four-Time Drivers Champion Colin Turkington the most likely candidate to fill it and remain with the BMW outfit.

Ford

The runners up in the Manufacturers title hunt in 2024 claimed a third straight Teams Championship in with NAPA Racing UK as a strong all-round lineup keeps the team unbeaten since entering the championship back in 2022. With an already confirmed Four-Time Champion in Ash Sutton and a dominant multi-time Porsche Carrera Cup GB champion in Dan Cammish remaining at the helm for another year with the manufacturer, the team looks likely to keep there already successful lineup of Daniel Rowbottom and Sam Osbourne for another year in an attempt to reclaim their Teams Championship for a fourth consecutive time and to conquer BMW and Jake Hill and reclaim both the Drivers and Manufacturers Championship.

Hyundai

After a third place in the manufacturer's standings and a runner up spot in both the Teams and Drivers championships, Hyundai certainly looked quick all year and gave their rivals a difficult time throughout. The Manufacturer retaining the pairing of 2022 BTCC Champion Tom Ingram and teammate Tom Chilton for another year had some change come with it as the team formerly known as Bristol Street Motors transforms into the Team Vertu after the Vertu Motors Group looks to consolidate its three main retail brands under one roof.

However, that was not the only change for Hyundai as the announcement of Adam Morgan joining the team and his return to front wheel drive cars. The eleven-time race winner joining the team with high hopes in an attempt to work his way towards the front once more. One spot remains open with the manufacturer as they look to maintain a four-car strong lineup for 2025

Toyota

The final manufacturer entry of Toyota after a few years of struggle have made themselves into a formidable force heading into 2025, always having strong races across the previous year keeping close to the third placed Hyundai entry come the end of the season. However, their driver lineup remains unconfirmed for the season ahead as TGR and Speedworks Motorsport begin the new year. With the news of Andrew Watson parting ways with the team and LKQ Euro Car Parts moving to BMW, the team are still on the hunt to fill their lineup.

Independent Entries

Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing

The Independent Drivers and Teams champions and winners of the Jack Sears Trophy at Power Maxed Racing looking likely to continue running Vauxhalls ahead of 2025. Despite taking 27 wins in the Independents Championship, it will not be an easy time for the team heading into 2025 with Restart Racings move to Hyundai’s. Looking likely to maintain their lineup of the 2024 Independents Drivers Champion Aron Taylor-Smith and the 2024 Jack Sears Trophy winner Mikey Doble, it will be a tough team to beat in 2025 and could certainly take an overall win away from the manufacturers having been contenders for wins and podiums across 2024.

Restart Racing

After placing 2nd in the Independents Teams Championship and a distant 8th in the Overall Teams Championship, Restart Racing have already made one significant change from 2024 as they will no longer be using the Cupra but instead taking two Hyundai i30’s to fight there way up the field and try and claim the Independent titles. After a difficult 2024, Chris Smiley remains with the team in 2025 looking to bring the team forward.

With one other TBL for the team remaining and the departure of Scott Sumpton after 2024, the team are yet to announce anyone to replace him. However, with the news of former BTCC driver and current Porsche Carrera Cup GB driver Daniel Lloyd looking more and more likely to drive the other Restart Racing Hyundai, it could be a great season for the independent team yet.

Un-Limited Motorsport

Un-Limited Motorsport are having quite a big change heading into 2025. After a difficult 2024 with only one driver as part of the team in Daryl DeLeon, the team does have 2 TBL’s heading into the 2025 season meaning they have a much stronger chance ahead of the season. Despite losing DeLeon to BMW, they have gained a young and promising Max Hall to replace him. The 17-Year-Old is the youngest driver currently signed for 2025 but certainly has promise, winning the Rookie title and was runner up in the Mini JCW Challenge in 2024, only ending the season behind Dan Zelos, the team has a lot of hope he’ll continue to do well into 2025.

One Motorsport

A returning entrant to the BTCC, after a sabbatical year in 2024, One Motorsport makes a return to the series looking to come back strong. Formerly running Honda Civic’s it is likely we will see them running them once more but with nothing officially confirmed from the team in 2025 in terms of drivers and cars, the coming months will be a busy news story for the team. Josh Cook without a confirmed drive for 2025 looks like a strong candidate for a return to the team but with strong races as a manufacturer driver with Toyota and LKQ Euro Car Parts, Cook has many different links to other manufacturers where he could sign.