Max Buxton will make his British Touring Car Championship début at the next round of the championship at Croft, after agreeing a deal to see out the season with the Speedworks Motorsport-run team.
Buxton, 19, is the son of the team’s Head of Motorsport Danny Buxton, and graduates from the Fiesta ST150 Challenge, in which he is in his second season.
Buxton has claimed four victories from eight races, with a further two podium finishes and a clean-sweep of pole positions from the opening three events, demonstrating strong pace.
He will be the youngest driver on the grid when he joins the BTCC at Croft, bringing the Buxton name back to the grid for the first time since his father race for half a season in 2003.
Buxton has already completed a full day of testing in one of the team’s Toyota Corollas at Snetterton, and a half day at Pembrey, tallying up more than the 300 km required for new drivers.
“Aside from being Danny’s son, Max is one of the most exciting young drivers to emerge in recent seasons,” said Team Principal Christian Dick.
“He’s shown maturity, pace and racecraft beyond his years, and we strongly believe he has the potential to thrive in the cut-and-thrust of the BTCC.
“I must stress that given his comparative lack of experience and limited mileage in high-level touring car machinery, there are zero expectations for the forthcoming five race weekends.
“Rather than being thrown in at the deep end with the pressure to deliver results, Max’s mid-season entry has been strategically planned as a learning opportunity – and there is no better way to hone your skillset than in the heat of battle, particularly in a series as ultra-competitive as the BTCC.
“This real-world test programme has been designed to help Max to fast-track his career and lay the foundations for a full-season assault in 2026 and beyond.
“We’re thrilled to welcome him to the family and look forward to seeing him develop over the next few years.”
Buxton admitted that taking the opportunity to race in the BTCC, following the departure of regular driver Ronan Pearson prior to Oulton Park, had been too good an opportunity to miss.
“I’m incredibly proud to be joining TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA for my BTCC debut,” said Buxton. “It’s an opportunity I’ve been working towards since I started racing, and I’m fully focussed on making the most of it.
“The initial aim for 2025 was to fight for the Fiesta ST150 Challenge title while participating in some touring car tests, but when this unexpected chance presented itself, it was impossible to say no.
“You learn so much more in a wheel-to-wheel environment than when you’re on-track on your own.
“Of the five circuits I’ll race at over the remainder of the season, Croft is the only one I know, so I’m keeping my expectations firmly in-check but I’m hugely excited to get out there!
“The BTCC is renowned as being one of the toughest and most high-calibre championships in the world, but with the experience, support and expertise of Speedworks Motorsport behind me, I’m confident I can make consistent progress from one event to the next.”