For the first time, Jake Hill is the BTCC Drivers’ Champion. The Kent-driver may have won the battle in the final race of the year, but the most winning driver of this campaign showcased his speed throughout the season to take home the most coveted crown in UK motorsport.

Not many champions can say they weren’t victorious until the seventh race of the year, but that Hill can. With two third place finishes at the opening event and a less than ideal event two at his home circuit of Brands Hatch, the #24 would only come into his stride once arriving at Snetterton.

The BMW 330e M Sport driver was in a class his own, untouchable in raw pace at the Norfolk circuit. Taking pole position by 0.805 seconds, Hill would take a commanding first triumph of the campaign. As dominant as that was, the #24’s race two was one to remember. Despite jumping the start and receiving a ten second penalty, the 20-time race winner would still go on to win by an incredible 6.260 seconds.

Speed was on show from that point forward as the Kent-racer would stand victorious four times in five races. As the results began the snowball, Hill would eventually bookend the first half of the season with a win and for the first time in 2024, stand at the top of the championship.

Even with the early season woes, the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport driver would score five of his eight wins in the first half of the season. Displaying drives worthy of a champion, the feeling of a third successive third-place finish seemed ever more unlikely.

Heading into the final race of the year ahead by one point, it was simply who ever finished ahead between Hill and Tom Ingram for the honours. Initially, all hearts dropped in the #24’s garage as Ingram powered past and began to drive away. But all changed as Hill excelled in the greasy conditions to propel himself to his first title, making Jake Hill the 2024 BTCC Drivers’ Champion.