British GT champion Collard makes BTCC return for 2026

Ricky Collard, son of BTCC race winner Rob, swaps Lamborghini for Hyundai to fill final seat in the 2026 campaign

British GT 2024 champion Ricky Collard is making another return to the British Touring Car Championship for 2026 with the title-winning Excelr8 Motorsport.

The 29-year-old Hampshireman takes the final seat in Excelr8’s squadron of Hyundai i30 N Fastbacks alongside reigning champion Tom Ingram, veteran Tom Chilton and Nicolas Hamilton.

Collard's first flirtation with the BTCC came in 2018, when he stood in for his father Rob for a spell aboard West Surrey Racing’s BMW. He then went full-time during 2022 and 2023 with the Speedworks Motorsport Toyota line-up.

A spell in GT3 racing subsequently beckoned, where he took the 2024 British GT crown with Rob at Barwell Motorsport Lamborghini. He didn’t return to that championship for 2025, but did predominantly spend it competing with Barwell in GT World Challenge Europe.

But now his latest chapter of discipline-hopping begins when he takes the wheel of the Hyundai for the first time at Brands Hatch for the series’ season launch day on Wednesday.

Collard is expected to be the last of the 21 drivers confirmed for the BTCC in 2026 prior to the opening round at Donington Park on 18-19 April. WSR is working to fill its third and final BMW seat, Un-Limited Motorsport has confirmed its absence with its Cupras, and One Motorsport is unlikely to be out in time with its Hondas.

“I’m delighted to be returning to the BTCC this season as it’s a championship where I feel I’ve got unfinished business,” said Collard. “Back in 2023, I picked up some strong results and showed I have the pace to run towards the front of the field, but I missed out on getting the win that I know I’m capable of.

“Winning the British GT title in what was a particularly competitive season allowed me to learn a huge amount, and I feel that I’m coming back into touring cars as a stronger driver and in better shape than ever.

“The opportunity to join forces with the defending champions is one that I had to take and, although this deal has all come together quite late and I won’t have much track time before round one, I’m feeling confident. The Hyundai is clearly a very strong package.”

Excelr8 team owner Justina Williams added: “When the chance arose to bring Ricky into the line-up, it was a deal we were really keen to do.

“Having shown he has the pace to fight for podium finishes in the past in the BTCC, we are confident he will be a strong addition to our line-up, and I see no reason why he can’t look to be right up there fighting towards the front during the season ahead.”

BTCC 2026 line-up

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- The Autosport.com Team

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