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A double fourth-place finish for Jake Hill at the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season opener at Donington Park indicates ongoing struggles for the reigning champion and the West Surrey Racing (WSR) BMW team as they enter their seventh season with the 3-Series.
The situation is concerning for BTCC enthusiasts. WSR has long been a pillar of the series, akin to the status of Penske in IndyCar. With Hill as a standout driver, the absence of one of the central figures in the championship narrative—especially with the planned departure of Colin Turkington—would significantly alter the competition landscape.
Despite the cars losing 55kg due to the discontinuation of the hybrid system for 2025, Hill’s best qualifying time fell short by 0.565 seconds compared to his performance in 2023, when the BMW was heavier.
Ash Sutton of the Alliance Racing Ford team clocked the fastest qualifying time of the day during Q2. Notably, this time was surprisingly slower than his own qualifying lap record, affected by changes to the Donington track surface and chicane parameters. Meanwhile, Tom Ingram from the Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai team achieved a personal best, posting a qualifying time 0.155 seconds quicker than his previous efforts at the venue.
“Ultimately, the underlying issue is a weight distribution problem we believe, so the car balance isn’t quite right,” Hill explained. “It’s challenging to find a setup we’re comfortable with. The car is unpredictable, limiting our speed compared to previous years.”
Before Donington, Hill mentioned that the required setup changes from one circuit to another are more drastic than what the team typically encounters. “With a rear-wheel-drive setup, our options for adding weight in the rear of the car are naturally limited compared to front-wheel-drive cars,” he added.
BTCC regulations mandate all cars be built below a minimum base weight and then ballasted to legal specifications. This poses a unique challenge for WSR, as they are the only team operating a rear-wheel-drive platform. The repositioning of ballast, particularly to enhance handling and center of gravity, has been restricted by new FIA safety regulations introduced alongside hybrid technology.
As the racing landscape has evolved, simply reverting to pre-hybrid setups is not feasible due to extensive developments in car technology and tire specifications since 2021. “Everything has advanced,” agreed Hill’s engineer, Craig Porley. “Trying to reapply setups from a few years ago would likely make us slower, as the whole series has progressed.”
In addition, Hill noted that the setup alterations necessary across different tracks have been significant, contrary to the slight adjustments the team is accustomed to making. “We’re taking bold steps trying to regain our footing,” Porley added, indicating that this approach could bring varying results.
Despite the broader team struggles, there were highlights for Hill’s teammates. Charles Rainford, stepping into his first season with WSR, reached Q2 and qualified just behind Hill. In contrast, Daryl DeLeon faced challenges, struggling in qualifying but managed to achieve three point finishes in the races. Aiden Moffat, transitioning from the 2020-21 Infiniti Q50 to the BMW, also journeyed through early difficulties to secure respectable finishes.
“We are confident we can realign our performance, but it will require investment of time and resources,” stated Carl Mitchell, WSR’s sporting and operations director. He acknowledged the unique position of having to negotiate the rules affecting rear-wheel-drive teams while front-wheel-drive rivals face fewer restrictions.
Looking forward to the next event at Brands Hatch, Hill expressed concerns about his performance at Donington, emphasizing the need for continuous development of the car. “Each weekend is crucial for us. We recognize we need to enhance our pace and adapt quickly,” Hill remarked. “While the start of the season feels slow, our history and capability give me confidence that we can rebound.”
The question remains: when will Hill reclaim his spot among the leading contenders? As the championship unfolds, a competitive Hill would not only benefit himself but also elevate the entire series, ensuring a gripping battle for the title.
Source
www.autosport.com