WSR and BMW continue their push for the British Touring Car Championship’s Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles as the series reaches its penultimate event of 2024 at Silverstone this weekend.
Silverstone is the most significant circuit on the calendar for WSR. It was on the National Circuit where the team won its debut race in 1981 as Jonathan Palmer triumphed at the opening round of the British Formula 3 Championship.
“This Silverstone weekend could be very different to any we’ve seen in the past,” commented Dick Bennetts, Team Principal. “Qualifying here has always been about slipstreaming, but with only 10 minutes in each session, you won’t be able to do the ‘team drafting’. That should make the battle for pole more open than normal, and with double the hybrid boost available compared to last year, we could see a very unusual grid.
“Despite Silverstone usually being a front-wheel-drive circuit, we’ve won four times in the past four years, which is more than any other team, and that gives us confidence to arrive and be in the ballpark with the BMWs.”
The no-longer-used ‘International’ layout was the scene of the team’s maiden BTCC victory in 1998 as Will Hoy came out on top in a wet/dry pitstop race while Tom Kristensen won the last two races of the series ‘Super Touring’ era in 2000.
Its various layouts have produced seven wins since then including four in the past four seasons for Jake Hill and Colin Turkington; both of whom arrive at the 1.85-mile circuit in contention for the title.
Jake heads the Drivers’ Championship by nine points following six victories and five additional podiums in his Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport BMW 330e M Sport.
A winner at Silverstone in each of the past three seasons, the Kent racer is aiming to continue his impressive recent form and head to the Brands Hatch season finale on top of the points table.
Four-time BTCC Champion Colin’s recent form has been the strongest in the series, the Team BMW man’s 127 points, two pole positions and three wins since the summer break being significantly better than any other driver.
The Northern Irishman, who lives near Silverstone, has used that to elevate himself to fourth in the Drivers’ standings.
He aims to add to his three previous wins at the track – including one last year – as he also attempts to move BMW into the lead of a Manufacturers’ Championship that the German brand is aiming to win for a record 10th time.
Team BMW team-mate Adam Morgan has been a five-time podium finisher at Silverstone; most recently in 2022 at the wheel of a BMW 330e M Sport.
The Lancashire racer has been one of the strongest qualifiers since the summer break and has played a key role in Team BMW being the highest-scoring team at each of the past two events.
Sitting just 11 points away from seventh spot in the standings, Adam aims to use the weekend to snare a big score and achieve his first win of the season.
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