RICKY COLLARD RETURNS TO TEAM VERTU LINE-UP FOR BTCC FINALE

Team VERTU can today confirm that Ricky Collard will form part of its driver line-up for the final rounds of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship this weekend at Brands Hatch.

Collard will return to the wheel of the #11 Hyundai i30 Fastback N for the three races around the iconic Grand Prix layout in place of Japanese driver Osamu Kawashima, who was due to contest the event as part of a two-round deal he agreed with the EXCELR8-run team back in June, at which point Ricky was only confirmed until the mid-point of the season.

Kawashima made his debut in the series at Silverstone last time out, realising his dream of competing in Britain’s premier racing series a decade after his first opportunity to get behind the wheel of a touring car.

While tests prior to Silverstone were successful in demonstrating the necessary performance, it was evident following the race meeting at Silverstone that Kawashima would benefit from additional time in the car to fully realise his potential.

As a result, and given the unique challenges of the Brands Hatch GP layout, the decision has been taken to instead focus on providing Kawashima with additional track time away from the pressures of a race weekend.

As a result, Collard will step up from the role of reserve driver to fill the seat for the season finale as he seeks to end what has been his best BTCC season to date on a high.

Collard originally signed an eleventh-hour deal with the team to compete in the opening five meetings of the season, with the 30-year-old having the option to extend to the full season or until the Croft meeting – with the door open for Kawashima to race in the final two events when Collard chose the latter option.

Despite no pre-season testing, Ricky bagged seven podium finishes at the wheel of the Hyundai and has scored more points this season than in any of his previous BTCC campaigns.

Even after sitting out the Silverstone meeting, Ricky will arrive at Brands Hatch sitting tenth in the standings, and with the opportunity to challenge for the top six around a circuit that was scene of one of the highlights of his career back in 2024 when he wrapped up the British GT title alongside his father Rob.

Ricky Collard said: “Silverstone was a situation where emotions were running high and things were said in the heat of the moment, but the focus now is on looking ahead to the finale and ending the season on a high.

“I’m grateful to have the chance to get back behind the wheel of the Hyundai this weekend, especially around such an iconic circuit as Brands Hatch GP, and hopefully we can have another strong weekend and build on the results we have gained already this season.

“Seven podiums has been a fantastic return and the only thing missing to complete the set is to make it onto the top step. If we could do that, it would be an amazing way to end the year, not least as I am working with the team to try and make a return to the seat possible for 2027.”