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Max Buxton joins Speedworks Motorsport for remainder of the season

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Max Buxton will make his British Touring Car Championship debut with Speedworks Motorsport when the series returns to action at Croft in less than two weeks time. 

Stepping up to the UK’s premier motorsport series to partner Gordon Shedden, Aron Taylor-Smith and James Dorlin at the Toyota squad, the 19-year-old will see out the remainder of the season with the Cheshire team – with the target being to return for a full campaign in 2026.

Buxton – who is the son of Speedworks’ Head of Motorsport Danny Buxton – steps into the seat that was vacated by Ronan Pearson prior to fifth event of the season. Finn Leslie subsequently then made a one-off appearance at Oulton Park.

Starting his racing career in 2024, the teenager has enjoyed a rapid rise up the ranks. This year he has been a regular front runner in the BRSCC Airtec Motorsport Fiesta ST240 Championship, winning multiple races already. 

Now making the step up to the BTCC, Buxton is relishing the prospect of what’s to come over the second half of the season.

“I’m incredibly proud to be joining TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA for my BTCC debut,” said Buxton. “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.”