Ricky Collard will make a return to the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for the 2026 season after being named as the final member of the Team VERTU line-up.

The 29-year-old joins the EXCELR8-run outfit for what will be his third full-season in the series, having previously spent two years with Toyota in 2022 and 2023.

Collard will partner defending champion Tom Ingram, Tom Chilton and Nicolas Hamilton in the four-strong Team Vertu line-up, with his first taste of the Hyundai i30 Fastback N he will race this year coming during the annual season launch at Brands Hatch.

A third generation racer, Collard started his career in karting before joining the Formula Ford grid for his first full season of car racing in 2014.

The following year, he finished second in the inaugural season of British F4 - beaten only by reigning Formula 1 champion Lando Norris - before going on to finish second in BRDC British F3, the series now known as GB3.

Switching to sportscars, Collard produced race-winning performances in the likes of the ADAC GT Masters and the Blancpain GT Championship prior to his two-year Toyota stint, and he has since won the British GT Championship title alongside his father and also competed in GT World Challenge Europe.

Now returning to touring car competition with the team that won the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ title last year, Collard heads into 2026 looking to add to the two BTCC podium finishes he has to his name thus far at the wheel of a car that scored nine wins in Team VERTU hands last season.

Collard’s first taste of the Hyundai will take place during the season launch event at Brands Hatch, with the opening event of 2026 coming at Donington Park later in the month.

Ricky Collard said: 
“I’m delighted to be returning to the BTCC this season as it’s a championship where I feel I’ve got unfinished business. Back in 2023, I picked up some strong results and showed I have the pace to run towards the front of the field, but I missed out on getting the win that I know I’m capable of.

“Winning the British GT title in what was a particularly competitive season allowed me to learn a huge amount, and I feel that I’m coming back into touring cars as a stronger driver and in better shape than ever.

“The opportunity to join forces with the defending champions is one that I had to take, and although this deal has all come together quite late and I won’t have much track time before round one, I’m feeling confident.

“The Hyundai is clearly a very strong package and with the support of Team VERTU behind me, I’m hoping to hit the ground running when we get to Donington Park."

Team Owner, Justina Williams said: 
“We’ve spoken to a number of drivers over the winter but when the chance arose to bring Ricky into the line-up, it was a deal we were really keen to do.

“He brings a huge amount of experience competing in a wide range of different championships and won the British GT title in impressive fashion a couple of years ago.

“Having shown he has the pace to fight for podium finishes in the past in the BTCC, we are confident he will be a strong addition to our line-up, and I see no reason why he can’t look to be right up there fighting towards the front during the season ahead.”

Nicolas Hamilton will take on his most exciting programme in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship to date in 2026 after agreeing a deal to join forces with defending champions Team VERTU.

Hamilton, who is the only person with a disability to have raced in the series since it was formed back in 1958, is the third driver to be confirmed by the EXCELR8-run team for the season ahead, and will compete in a Hyundai i30 Fastback N supported by Draper Tools.

The relationship between Draper Tools and EXCELR8 is one of the most established on the British motorsport scene, having started back in 2019 when the team moved into the BTCC for the first time after years of success in the MINI CHALLENGE.

The partnership is set to run until at least the end of the 2027 season, with Hamilton becoming the latest driver to carry the famous Draper Tools logo on his car, which will also showcase the familiar light blue colours for which the company is so well known.

Having made his BTCC debut all the way in 2015, Hamilton has over 160 starts in the series to his name and will be embarking on his second full season of competition since returning to action after a short break.

Joining forces with Team VERTU is set provide Hamilton with the most competitive package of his racing career to date, with the Hyundai having proven to be the class of the field last season - scoring nine wins and 32 podiums.

That allowed Tom Ingram to secure the championship title for the second time, with Team VERTU also picking up the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ title.

Joining forces with Ingram and Tom Chilton will also provide Hamilton with the opportunity to work side-by-side with two of the most experienced drivers on the BTCC grid as the 33-year-old seeks to make his mark in Britain’s most competitive series.

Going into 2026, Hamilton - who has a career best finish of sixth - will be amongst those drivers eligible for the Jack Sears Trophy, which is open to any driver who has yet to score more than one podium finish in the series.

Having sampled the Hyundai in a recent test at Snetterton, Hamilton will appear on track in carrying his new Draper Tools livery for the first time during the BTCC season launch test at Brands Hatch, with the opening rounds of the season taking place at Donington Park in late April.

Nicolas Hamilton, #28 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
"I am incredibly proud to be joining such a strong outfit in Team VERTU and EXCELR8 for this season as throughout my career, I have struggled for funding and budget, which meant I found myself in less competitive equipment.

"Thanks to my 2026 partners and the team's long standing partner Draper Tools, I can now step into a more competitive package, and that is a really special and exciting moment for me. I have worked harder than ever over the winter to build my strength and fitness to improve my disability and I will be giving absolutely everything I can to be as competitive as possible. 

"A big thank you to Antony, Justina, and everyone at EXCELR8 for this incredible opportunity.”

Sarah Hartland, Head of Marketing at Draper Tools, said: 
"We are thrilled to be back in the BTCC for the 2026 season and embarking on our eighth year backing the EXCELR8 team. 

“Supporting Nicolas Hamiliton to achieve his racing goals this season is an exciting step for us. The dedication of the entire EXCELR8 team, from the mechanics in the garage to Nic at the wheel, represents exactly the kind of commitment and passion we stand for. 

“We can’t wait to be back amongst it all, meeting fans, watching all the action on track and seeing our tools put to good use in the garages. Here's to a competitive season and pushing boundaries as a team."

Justina Williams, Team VERTU Team Owner, said:
“We are delighted to to welcome Nicolas into our team for the 2026 season, and to have him at the wheel of our Draper Tools car. 

“The way Nicolas has battled against the odds to achieve his dream of competing on track despite his disability is well documented, and he is an inspiration to many for the way he has never given up on that dream.

“We feel we can give Nicolas the tools to really show what he can do this season and are looking forward to working with him to reach his goals during the year ahead, one of which is to stand on the BTCC podium with the team. We’ll be working hard with him to make that happen!”