Daniel Rowbottom has been announced as the first driver for Plato Racing in the 2026 British Touring Car Championship season.
Rowbottom will enter his seventh full season in the BTCC with a new challenge, as he joins Jason Plato’s eponymous team to spearhead its campaign with Mercedes-AMG A35 Saloon machinery.
The 36-year-old made his BTCC début in 2019, before taking a sabbatical and returning in 2021 with Team Dynamics. Rowbottom won his first race in 2021, then joined NAPA Racing UK for the 2023 season, starting a three-year stint in Ford machinery which yielded four victories, three of which came in the past season.
Rowbottom will now enter into the next chapter of his career as he and title sponsor Cataclean join Plato Racing for 2026.
“This is without doubt the biggest move of my career so far,” said Rowbottom. “To be a partner with Jason at Plato Racing is a pretty special feeling and something that 10-year-old me would have never believed could be possible.
“The deal has been in the works for a while and as you would expect with Jason being involved, everything is being done properly and to the highest of levels.
“Being aligned with the team gives Cataclean much tighter control of our destiny and being able to maximise future opportunities.
“We’ve recruited some big names and the work that is going on back at base is pretty incredible; I’m confident that we’ve got something special with the Mercedes. For me personally, I’m really excited to be stepping into that role of leading a team and driving it forward too.
“Last season was my best yet in the BTCC and the target now is to build on that. I want to be BTCC Champion one day and believe this is the place where I can do just that.
“We’ve got a big year ahead of us but I believe we’ll be mixing it for wins and podiums from the get-go.”
Jason Plato, Plato Racing Team Owner, is looking forward to working with Worcestershire racer Rowbottom in the forthcoming season.
“We are all very excited to have Dan and Cataclean as a part of Plato Racing for 2026 and beyond,” said Plato.
“On a personal level I’m very proud to have Dan in one of our race cars; the journey he has been on, to come through open heart surgery at the end of the 2024 season is remarkable.
“His performances last year were the best they have ever been and his focus and determination is second to none. We’re all expecting great things from Dan.
“It’s also fantastic to have the backing from Cataclean. They are a fantastic company who understand how to leverage this investment in the BTCC; we’re all working hard to further expand their growth in the automotive sector.
“I’m confident that Plato Racing, with Dan and Cataclean on board, will be a true force in the BTCC this coming season.”
Rowbottom’s team-mate will be announced in due course.