Jake Hill charges to lights-to-flag victory in BTCC opener

Jake Hill produced a flawless drive in the opening British Touring Car Championship contest of the day at Brands Hatch to claim his first victory of the 2025 season.

Starting from pole position, the reigning champion controlled proceedings out front and led every lap on his way to claiming the chequered flag.

Behind Hill was his West Surrey Racing Racing team-mate Charles Rainford who followed Hill home to secure second place and with it, a maiden podium in the UK’s premier motorsport series.

Tom Ingram completed the podium in third place after making a bold move around the outside of Paddock Hill Bend on his team-mate Adam Morgan on the opening lap. Despite applying early pressure to the top two, the Hyundai driver was unable to make any headway and instead held station while Morgan followed shadowed him in fourth.

Alliance Racing’s Dan Cammish and lead Independent Mikey Doble went wheel-to-wheel in the opening exchanges with Cammish ultimately getting the better of the Vauxhall driver.

Daryl Deleon found a way past Sam Osborne late on, and they were classified ahead of Restart Racing’s Daniel Lloyd – who had finished in front of both drivers however a time penalty for a false start dropped him back two positions.

Completing the top ten was the highest of the hard tyre drivers, four-time champion Ash Sutton.

Race two is scheduled to begin at 14:05.