Newly topped British Touring Automobile champion Jake Hill plans to stay at West Surrey Racing in 2025 to bid for a second successive title.
The 30-year-old Kentishman has now spent three years on the Sunbury crew and has raced his BMW 330e M Sport for the previous two seasons beneath the Laser Instruments Racing with MB Motorsport banner on a business foundation beneath a deal put collectively by the MB administration firm of ex-Components 1 racer and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Mark Blundell.
Hill’s transfer to turn into a part of the MB administration steady got here after the 2 teamed up collectively within the BTCC in 2019 for Blundell’s farewell season as a racer on the AmD-run Commerce Worth Automobiles Audi squad, and Hill’s subsequent spell at AmD’s MB Motorsport Honda line-up.
“I’m simply ready for a deal from MB,” mentioned Hill. “However finally I’m simply extremely grateful to be part of that crew with West Surrey.
“It’s a improbable collaboration we now have right here. It really works for us commercially and it really works for us from a efficiency viewpoint.”
Hill mentioned that he owes his success to AmD boss Shaun Hollamby, who gave him the chance for 2019, in addition to his father – ex-Renault Spider Cup and Components First battler Simon Hill.
“I assumed my profession was performed in 2018 after I pulled out midway by means of [after a breakdown in relations with Team Hard], after which Shaun Hollamby saved the day,” he mentioned. “It was a mix of Shaun after which me being team-mates with Mark that began this journey once more.
Hill celebrates his title victory
Photograph by: JEP
“Actually, I owe the latter a part of my profession to Shaun for taking a threat with me and giving me an inexpensive sufficient drive that we simply may someway get the cash collectively to do it, however finally, Dad’s my actual superhero. He simply by no means gave up. That’s what dads do, proper?”
The title success signifies that Hill’s popularity for being quick however mistake-prone ought to be consigned to historical past.
The 2024 BTCC crown is the primary since 2019 to be gained by somebody apart from Ash Sutton or Tom Ingram – typically acknowledged as the highest two drivers of the previous few years.
“I believe we will all agree that me and Tom these final two rounds have been inseparable,” mentioned Hill.
“We’ve each performed nearly as good a job as one another, and finally the situations [wet in the final race at Brands] simply performed into my fingers and to my automotive as properly.
“I simply hope that now folks see me on a stage time period with Tom and Ash as a result of I really feel that I haven’t been over the previous couple of years, however hopefully I’ve made an announcement, particularly with that final race towards Tom to safe my title in historical past.”
The battle continued a struggle with Ingram that has been ongoing since they fought for the Ginetta Junior crown in 2010, when Hill was 16 years outdated and Ingram 17.
Jake Hill, Laser Instruments Racing with MB Motorsport BMW 330e M Sport
Photograph by: JEP
“I’ve acquired to take my hat off to Tom,” mentioned Hill.
“He’s a champion for a cause and he’s a prime bloke, and it’s been a privilege being on this championship struggle with him.
“And eventually after 15 years of racing him I’ve acquired my first championship and I’ve crushed him to it!
“When David [Addison, ITV commentator who was hooked up live to Hill on the cooldown lap] mentioned it [being BTCC champion] on the radio for the primary time, I simply bawled my eyes out mate to be completely trustworthy with you.
“It’s only a large, overwhelming feeling of feelings. You’ll be able to’t fairly comprehend what you’ve simply achieved – you’ve gained the largest British championship, and in addition you must keep in mind as properly that it’s a bit completely different as a result of that is my first ever championship.
“I’ve by no means gained a championship in something I’ve performed, so to win the British Touring Automobile Championship as my first means a lot extra.
“I simply should thank everyone, and particularly my team-mate Colin [Turkington, who played rear-gunner for Hill at the final two rounds]. He’s helped me a lot to attain this. He’s performed a tremendous crew recreation – I can’t thank him sufficient actually.”