Blundell returns to racing with BTCC debut

Former Formula 1 rostrum-finisher and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Mark Blundell will return to racing in 2019 in the British Touring Car Championship with Trade Price Cars Racing.

Blundell will get behind the wheel of an Audi S3 alongside new teammate Jake Hill on his return to racing.

Blundell, whose impressive F1 career saw him compete for McLaren, Brabham, Tyrrell and Ligier, will make his touring car debut at the age of 52 and is relishing the fresh challenge.

“Once the opportunity arose to get back behind the wheel, it was something I was very keen to make happen,” Blundell said. “The British Touring Car Championship is a fantastic series that I have always wanted to race in but it has never been possible until now.

“I have been lucky enough to have had a fantastic motor racing career to date and to have been a part of British motorsport for many years. The sport is in a fantastic place across the UK at this current time and the BTCC and the overall TOCA package is a major part of that, providing an excellent platform for top-level professional drivers and many bright talents behind the wheel.

“The strength of the series is shown by the thousands of fans that join trackside up and down the country and the millions more that tune in from home on ITV.

“It is going to be a new challenge for me but one I am really excited by. Alan Gow and I have been chatting for a number of years about taking part in the BTCC and I’m delighted that the time is right to finally make this step. At my age, I want to make sure that I am taking on such a prestigious championship while I am still geared up to do so competitively.”

Blundell will also announce an “exciting partnership” expected to reveal the formation of the Trade Price Car Racing squad, while his race seat will also work in combination with his ongoing role as CEO of driver management firm MB Partners.

“My participation in the series has come about due to a hugely exciting partnership that we are looking forward to announcing in the coming weeks,” he said. “It has been a long process to get to this point so I do want to thank my Chairman and my fellow directors at MB Partners as well as many friends from across the sport in making this all possible.

“It will be fantastic news for the BTCC, bringing a global brand onto the grid, and myself and the MB Partners team can’t wait to get to work on many of the exciting plans that are already in place.”