17-year-old Max Hall is the youngest driver on the current BTCC grid, and despite already feeling at home in the TOCA paddock, the 17-year-old admits the opportunity to join the UK’s most competitive championship came earlier than he initially imagined.

"I started karting since I was six years old,” said Hall. “Last year, I was in the MINI JCW Championship and finished second overall, also winning the rookie title.

"It's always been a goal of ours [to drive in the BTCC]. We didn't think we'd make it happen this early, but after the good season last year we completed a test day with Un-Limited Motorsport and it just went from there.

"I feel like I'm already at home with it [the CUPRA]. I think with enough practice, you'd eventually get the hang of anything, so that's what I'm trying to do at the moment."

As is the case with any step up in motorsport, preparation is key, and Hall has already accumulated more track-time than most during the off-season so far.

"I've done three tests,” he confirmed. “We're trying to do as much as possible, obviously, since we're new. We're going to have to get as much testing under our belt as possible to have a good chance next season.

"It's the pinnacle of British motorsport, but hopefully I'm here for as long as possible and we will just see what happens in the coming years."

The official BTCC action gets underway with the first pre-season two-day test at Croft at the beginning of April, before the Season Launch commences at Donington Park on the 15th of the same month. The championship then kicks off at the famous Leicestershire venue on 26/27 April.