Rowbottom to partner Shedden at Team Dynamics as Neal confirms sabbatical

Three-time champion Matt Neal will not take part in this season's British Touring Car Championship as Team Dynamics announce Dan Rowbottom as Gordon Shedden's team mate for the 2021 campaign.

Like three-time champion Shedden, Rowbottom will also be making a return to the BTCC after spending a year on the sidelines in 2020. The 32-year old was set to spend a second season with the Ciceley Motorsport Mercedes outfit, but the Coronavirus pandemic put pay to his 2020 racing plans.

Instead, following a new 'multi-year partnership' between Halfords and Rowbottom's long-term sponsor Cataclean, the former Mercedes A-Class racer will race alongside Shedden in a Honda Civic Type-R.

“For me this an absolute dream come true and I’m really looking forward to the season ahead, this is a great opportunity for me with a topflight team and the continued backing of Cataclean," said Rowbottom.

"I can’t wait to get behind the wheel and see what this car can do, I’ve been studying the data and it looks fast on paper and has been proven to be fast on track, so I’m really excited to finally go testing next month."

With Rowbottom joining Team Dynamics, 2021 will mark the first time since 1991 where Matt Neal will not appear on the BTCC entry list after the 54-year old confirmed he would be taking a sabbatical for the season ahead.

Following the loss of Honda and Yuasa's financial support, Neal said his focus over the winter has been securing the backing needed to allow the Honda squad to keep fighting in the thick of the title fight.

“Firstly it is great to welcome Cataclean to the team and continue our long-standing relationship with Halfords," Neal continued.

"Secondly, I am going to be taking a year out of the sport this season, but I will still be representing Halfords as a Brand Ambassador and acting as a mentor, both on and off track, for both drivers.

"Honda and Yuasa have both decided to focus on different challenges this year so we have been working hard over the winter to pull a package together that will still see us contending at the sharp end of the grid and ultimately achieve our goals and aspirations, which is winning titles! I’m really excited for the coming season."