Dan Rowbottom makes the move to Plato Racing for 2026 season

Plato Racing has named Dan Rowbottom as the first of its two drivers for the 2026 British Touring Car Championship season.

In what is set to be a ground-breaking year for the new team, multiple race winner Rowbottom is poised to lead the squad, driving a Mercedes-AMG A35 Saloon that has been design and built by engineering outfit RML.

Rowbottom made his debut in the series back in 2019 and after taking a year out due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Worcestershire racer returned in 2021 with Team Dynamics – claiming a maiden win and the Jack Sears Trophy title.

Making the switch to Alliance Racing in 2023, Rowbottom has since gone on to score four wins and 11 podium finishes. Last season proved to be his most successful to-date as he finished fifth in the Drivers’ Championship.

Following Rowbottom to the team that is operated by former two-time champion Jason Plato are his long-time backers Cataclean.

“This is without doubt the biggest move of my career so far,” said Rowbottom. “To be a partner with Jason at Plato Racing is a pretty special feeling and something that 10-year-old me would have never believed could be possible.

“The deal has been in the works for a while and as you would expect with Jason being involved, everything is being done properly and to the highest of levels. Being aligned with the team gives Cataclean much tighter control of our destiny and being able to maximise future opportunities.

“We’ve recruited some big names and the work that is going on back at base is pretty incredible; I’m confident that we’ve got something special with the Mercedes. For me personally, I’m really excited to be stepping into that role of leading a team and driving it forward too.

“Last season was my best yet in the BTCC and the target now is to build on that. I want to be BTCC Champion one day and believe this is the place where I can do just that. We’ve got a big year ahead of us but I believe we’ll be mixing it for wins and podiums from the get-go.”

Plato added: “We are all very excited to have Dan and Cataclean as a part of Plato Racing for 2026 and beyond.

“On a personal level I’m very proud to have Dan in one of our race cars; the journey he has been on to come through open heart surgery at the end of the 2024 season is remarkable.

“His performances last year were the best they have ever been and his focus and determination is second to none. We’re all expecting great things from Dan. I’m confident that Plato Racing, with Dan and Cataclean on-board, will be a true force in the BTCC this coming season.”

Visit the TouringCarTimes Grid Projections to see the current status of the BTCC grid, as well as other championships.