Rapidly rising star Max Buxton will join the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship field for the remainder of the 2025 campaign, having agreed terms to compete for race-winning outfit TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA.
 
At just 19 years of age, Buxton will become the youngest driver on the grid in the country’s premier motorsport series when he makes his highly-anticipated bow at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire on 2-3 August – but despite only beginning racing in 2024, he is quickly making a name for himself.
 
In his second season in the single-make Fiesta ST150 Challenge, Buxton has shown sharp career progression, dominating his rivals with four victories from eight races, two further podium finishes, a clean sweep of pole positions from the opening three events and a brace of fastest laps.
 
The intention had been for the Lancashire-based ace to conduct a number of BTCC test outings this year, but when the opportunity arose to step into a race seat at TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA for the second half of the campaign – alongside fellow rookie James Dorlin, three-time champion Gordon Shedden and reigning Independents’ Trophy winner Árón Taylor-Smith – it was too good a proposition for either team or driver to resist.
 
Having conducted a full day’s testing in the British-built Toyota Corolla GR Sport at Snetterton and a brace of half-days at Pembrey – achieving well in excess of the 300km minimum running required for newcomers – Buxton is ready for action as Speedworks Motorsport-operated TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA bids to build upon its burgeoning momentum.
 
Buoyed by a brilliant lights-to-flag success for Shedden at Oulton Park, the Cheshire-based squad entered the annual summer break on a high at the end of last month, and Buxton’s recruitment represents a clear signal of intent as the team sets its sights on a strong finish to the season while simultaneously investing in future talent. After his maiden appearance at Croft, the teenager will go on to race at Knockhill, Donington Park GP, Silverstone and Brands Hatch GP, with all BTCC events broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV channels.
 
Christian Dick, Team Principal, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA, said: “Aside from being Danny’s son (Danny Buxton, Speedworks Head of Motorsport), Max is one of the most exciting young drivers to emerge in recent seasons. He’s shown maturity, pace and racecraft beyond his years, and we strongly believe he has the potential to thrive in the cut-and-thrust of the BTCC.
 
“I must stress that given his comparative lack of experience and limited mileage in high-level touring car machinery, there are zero expectations for the forthcoming five race weekends. Rather than being thrown in at the deep end with the pressure to deliver results, Max’s mid-season entry has been strategically planned as a learning opportunity – and there is no better way to hone your skillset than in the heat of battle, particularly in a series as ultra-competitive as the BTCC.
 
“This real-world test programme has been designed to help Max to fast-track his career and lay the foundations for a full-season assault in 2026 and beyond. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the family and look forward to seeing him develop over the next few years.”
 
Max Buxton, Driver, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA, said: “I’m incredibly proud to be joining TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA for my BTCC debut. It’s an opportunity I’ve been working towards since I started racing, and I’m fully focussed on making the most of it.
 
“The initial aim for 2025 was to fight for the Fiesta ST150 Challenge title while participating in some touring car tests, but when this unexpected chance presented itself, it was impossible to say no. You learn so much more in a wheel-to-wheel environment than when you’re on-track on your own.
 
“Of the five circuits I’ll race at over the remainder of the season, Croft is the only one I know, so I’m keeping my expectations firmly in-check but I’m hugely excited to get out there! The BTCC is renowned as being one of the toughest and most high-calibre championships in the world, but with the experience, support and expertise of Speedworks Motorsport behind me, I’m confident I can make consistent progress from one event to the next.”