BTCC 2025: Normal Service Resumed

By Steve Hindle•May 5, 2025•In Motorsport, Touring Cars•1 Minute

It’s too early to say that questions have been answered following the BTCC’s opening rounds from Donington Park, but for some, the ‘to-do’ list has suddenly grown beyond all expectations.

Here are 20 of our favourite images that help to tell the story of a weekend of highs, lows, could’ves and should’ves.

All images by Steve Hindle

Ash Sutton did what Ash Sutton does best; commanded every inch of the track, proving that he's sharper and strategically more confident than ever. The NAPA Racing UK Focus also looks primed, fast and sure. Together, they've already taken key points away from Tom Ingram at one of the Team Vertu man's most dominant tracks. Another successful trio of races at Brands Hatch next weekend and the four-time champion might well be on the way to number five.
There were times when Tom Ingram looked to have the edge over title rival Sutton, especially in Race 1 when the Hyundai found extraordinary speed to close the gap but the advent of the safety car halted the charge, leaving Sutton to control the restart. Nevertheless, Ingram and his team know that they have a very quick car and also know that until West Surrey Racing address the issues facing the BMW, the invitation to accrue strong points finishes needs to be accepted.
Tom Chilton didn't need to be asked twice to enjoy his moment from Race 3 reverse grid pole. A perfectly executed start saw the now seasoned driver claim his 17th win of his career. Critically, he also scored well in the preceding rounds, which might just supply the impetus to join teammate Ingram in taking advantage of WSR's woes to dial himself into contention for yet more silverware.
For one supreme moment, Dan Cammish appeared to have abolished his bad fortune at Donington to distant memory, such was the beauty and precision of his pole position lap. But with Ash Sutton looming with intent from the start, and then a costly puncture with his soft-left-front, the Yorkshireman was forced to conjure an exceptional recovery, simply to finish in the top 10. Cammish is finally looking far more composed at NAPA and this year's car suits him well. The question is, will he and Sutton take points off each other, leaving the championship door open for Ingram to claim possession?
The caption could easily read 'Jake Hill leads the pack out of the Old Hairpin.' Only what you don't see is that there are four cars already ahead of him. Removing the hybrid has caused significant issues for WSR in addressing the BMW's weight distribution; what also doesn't help is that Hill has three new teammates, two of whom are relatively inexperienced, and so he doesn't have the benefit of data from Colin Turkington to help address the problem. Significantly, the lack of testing means that this is far from easy to solve. You can't just place weight in a BTCC car where you want, meaning that many hours of technical drawing, together with structured free practice runs will be required in order to find a workable solution, but this also has to be one that addresses tyre wear and warming too. BMW and Jake Hill fans can have faith that Dick Bennett's squad will gain better understanding with each outing, but the points already sacrificed might very well be the ones needed to carry the reigning champion to back-to-back titles.
Dan Rowbottom is the first to admit that in terms of racing, his 2024 was a bit rubbish. So all credit to him for sharpening his focus and working hard with the team to once again prove his pace, earn a podium, and return the NAPA Racing UK car to the top six in qualifying and each of the three races.
What a difference the i30N makes! Chris Smiley kept faith with Restart Racing as he restarted his BTCC career. After a lowly year with the Leon, Ben Taylor's squad arrived in 2025 with a pair of Hyundai i30N Fastbacks and immediately, Smiley was back to the form that once made him a regular front-runner. Three top ten finishes at Donington propelled the Northern Irishman to the top of the Independents' standings; expect more.
Mikey Doble pushed Smiley hard in the fight for Independents' honours. He took two class wins but was caught out in a Race 2 incident which sent him down the order and seemingly out of contention. Neverthess, a stunning recovery drive signalled that last year's Jack Sears Trophy winner is hungry for more.
Max Hall scored two points finishes on his debut weekend. We haven't yet seen a glimpse of the form we know he's capable of but he proved to be commanding at Brands Hatch this time last year in Mini Challenge, so expect more as he learns the nuances of touring car racing.
Whilst Hall has yet to unlock the potential of his Cupra, returnee Dexter Patterson surprised with a determined drive in Race 1, making 12 places to score solid midfield points, and then looking comfortable against strong company as he later eased into the top 10, leading the Un-Limited squad's progress through the standings.
Another championship returnee is Gordon Shedden. In our season preview, we said "he's now partnered with an unfamiliar car and an unfamiliar team. Rob Huff struggled with both last year, and whilst lessons have been learned, results might still take time to filter through." Heavy contact in Race 1, followed by two lower-midfield points scores suggest that the three-time champion might have a longer than anticipated wait before he is returned to his rightful place (which is not hunting for scraps).
By contrast, Ronan Pearson appeared to be relishing his time with Toyota, qualifying P5 and running comfortably in P4 until he was noted for a false start and handed a ten-second penalty. The resulting Race 1 demotion and subsequent midfield starts spoiled what otherwise should have been a remarkable return for the young Scot.
It wasn't the start that Aiden Moffat had hoped for on his debut with West Surrey Racing, nevertheless, with support from former champion Colin Turkington, he wrestled three top ten finishes to prove his potential once handling issues have been resolved.
There were high expectations of Josh Cook upon his return to One Motorsport, but an unforeseen engine and transmission change on Saturday morning put the former Independents' champion on the back foot before qualifying even started. Then, contact in Race 1 and a puncture from debris in Race 2 saw Cook slide out of podium contention, and ultimately a disappointing points haul for the man who so determinedly expects more of himself and his car.
Sometimes, you don't need to see a picture of a car, or a driver's face to understand the meaning to a story.
Michael Crees is back in the BTCC, and back to entertaining ways. Here he is (777), taking the advertising hoarding for a passenger ride following the safety car restart.
Sweden's August Raber returned to British F4 and immediately put the challenge of Red Bull Junior Fionn Mclaughlin behind him with two sensational wins for the Argenti squad.
Will Martin has been winning in Porsche Carrera Cup GB ever since his graduation from Ginetta Junior in 2020. Here he is in 2025, starting as he'd like to continue, with a win in Race 1.
Toby Trice sent the bobble army barmy with a hard-fought win in Sunday's Porsche Sprint Challenge race, following a side-swiping duel with title rival Tom Bradshaw (l).
It wasn't just in the BTCC that Pete Osborne's NAPA Racing UK squad dominated the weekend. Son Jamie scored three wins from three to firmly cement himself and his team at the top of the standings.
Ash Sutton British F4 british touring car championship btcc donington park Jake Hill Mini Challenge porsche carrera cup gb Porsche Sprint Challenge Tom Ingram

Written By

Steve Hindle
Steve Hindle

Steve has lived his life with motor sport; from childhood years as a fan, to racing around the greatest tracks in Europe, first as a driver and later as a team principal. Today he's a familiar sight trackside and in the pit lane, notebook in one hand, camera in another, capturing moments and contributing to some of the leading titles in motor sport and automotive media.

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