Electric Cars

In an exciting development for British motorsport, 16-year-old racing sensation Noah Young is poised to make his debut in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) for the 2027 season. Young, a protégé of two-time BTCC champion Tom Ingram, will join the ranks of Excelr8 Motorsport, piloting a Hyundai i30 N Fastback. This significant career advancement marks a substantial transition from the Ginetta Junior series, where Young honed his skills, and positions him to become the youngest driver in BTCC history to compete in a full season. His mentor, Ingram, has expressed immense confidence in Young's abilities, highlighting his mature approach and natural racecraft, which are expected to make him a formidable competitor despite his youth. The multi-year agreement underscores the team's belief in his long-term potential in the high-stakes world of touring car racing.

Young's journey to the BTCC is particularly remarkable given his relatively short motorsport background, having only two seasons in Ginetta Junior and no prior karting experience. His rapid ascent is a testament to his innate talent and dedication. Ingram, who himself was a Ginetta Junior champion in 2010, has been instrumental in Young's development, providing invaluable coaching and guidance. This mentorship culminated in Young securing 12th place in this year's Ginetta Junior championship. His impending debut at Donington Park next April will see him take to the track at just 16 years and 11 months old, surpassing the previous record held by Tom Chilton, who debuted at 17 in 2002. Coincidentally, Chilton's recent retirement has created the very seat Young will now occupy at Excelr8.

The transition to the BTCC is undoubtedly a monumental step, demanding a different level of skill, aggression, and tactical acumen. Young recently had his first taste of the Hyundai i30 N Fastback at Donington, gaining crucial initial mileage. Further testing is planned leading up to the festive period, allowing him to acclimate to the more powerful and complex touring car machine. Ingram has voiced his unwavering support and belief in Young, noting that despite the intense nature of BTCC racing, Young possesses the mental fortitude and racing intelligence to thrive. His ability to absorb feedback and ask pertinent questions has impressed his mentor, suggesting a professional mindset beyond his years.

For Young, this opportunity represents a dream come true – a chance to compete in one of the UK's most prestigious motorsport championships with a top-tier team. He acknowledges the significant challenges ahead, recognizing the competitive intensity and the steep learning curve he faces. Nevertheless, he is approaching this new chapter with determination and enthusiasm, eager to tackle every obstacle head-on. The initial testing experience at Donington has only fueled his excitement, and he is fully committed to a rigorous winter preparation program to ensure he is in prime condition for his inaugural race in the spring.

The integration of Noah Young into Excelr8 Motorsport alongside Tom Ingram signals an exciting future for the team and the BTCC. His rapid progression from junior categories to the pinnacle of British touring car racing highlights his exceptional talent and the effectiveness of the support system around him. With a multi-year deal in place, Young has the time and backing to develop into a consistent front-runner. His journey will be keenly watched by fans and experts alike, eager to see how this young prodigy performs on the demanding BTCC grid, potentially paving the way for a new generation of motorsport stars.

Max Verstappen's debut in the GT World Challenge Europe at Portimão was marked by an early on-track incident during the initial Free Practice 1 session. The collision, which occurred just moments into his first GTWC appearance, has prompted an official investigation by race stewards. This incident casts a shadow over his participation, as potential penalties could impact his starting position for the highly anticipated three-hour race.

During the Free Practice 1 session held at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, Max Verstappen, piloting the #3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, became involved in contact with Ezequiel Perez Companc, who was driving the #25 Sainteloc Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II. The incident unfolded merely three minutes into the session at Turn 3, known as Lagos. With a substantial grid of 61 cars navigating the challenging 4.653km circuit, high traffic density was a foreseeable factor. Verstappen's car clipped the rear corner of Perez Companc's Audi, causing it to spin. Verstappen's visible frustration after the contact suggested he believed Perez Companc should have yielded space.

Following the on-track entanglement, race control immediately initiated an inquiry into the incident. This means Verstappen could face various sanctions, including grid penalties for Saturday's race, a reduction in practice time, or even the deletion of his recorded lap times. In GTWC Europe, such incidents during practice are subject to strict scrutiny, and the potential repercussions highlight the competitive nature of the series.

Despite the contentious start, Verstappen quickly shifted his focus to optimizing his car's setup for the race. He initially found himself around the 20th position on the leaderboard but steadily climbed to 10th within 20 minutes. By the half-hour mark, he settled into 14th place. His fastest lap of 1m43.026s ultimately positioned the #3 entry 20th overall at the conclusion of the session. The team's primary objective during this phase was race tire management, likely utilizing a set of tires previously used during Thursday's two-hour test session, which explains the relatively lower classification in terms of pure pace.

Verstappen completed a significant 48-minute stint behind the wheel before handing over to Ben Barnicoat. This marked Barnicoat's first public appearance in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 since February 2025, as he typically races Lexus and McLaren GT3 machinery. Barnicoat subsequently returned the car to Verstappen for the final eight minutes of the session, which coincided with a full course yellow procedure for practice. Notably, team regular Chris Lulham did not participate in this opening session.

The fastest time of FP1 was recorded by Christopher Haase in the #84 Eastalent Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, a car he shares with Reicher and Markus Winkelhock. Haase's impressive lap of 1m42.643s was a remarkable 0.331 seconds quicker than the best time achieved during Thursday's testing. Haase expressed his satisfaction, stating, "We had quite a bit of bad luck during the season, so hopefully we can maintain this form. The car feels good." The #32 WRT BMW, driven by Kelvin van der Linde, Jordan Pepper, and Charles Weerts, finished a mere 0.004 seconds behind Haase, illustrating the fierce competition. The top five cars were separated by less than a tenth of a second, a group that included the #46 WRT BMW, featuring Neil Verhagen, Max Hesse, and the iconic MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi. A staggering 50 entries were within one second of the leading Audi's time, indicating an exceptionally close field, even by the demanding standards of GTWC Europe.

The opening practice session at Portimão provided a dramatic prelude to the GT World Challenge Europe finale. The incident involving Max Verstappen, while under investigation, underscores the intense competition and high stakes present in GT racing. Despite the early setback, the focus quickly shifted to strategic race preparation and maximizing car performance. The incredibly tight competition, demonstrated by the narrow margins separating the top contenders, sets the stage for a thrilling and unpredictable race weekend.