The four-time British Touring Car Championship champion Colin Turkington will be absent from the 2025 grid due to the current commercial climate.
The 42-year-old Northern Irishman has been a mainstay of the West Surrey Racing BMW squad for the past eight seasons, and 17 of his 20 BTCC campaigns dating back to 2002 have been with machinery run by the Sunbury team.
Turkington, as befits a driver with his haul of titles and 72 race wins, has been employed by the team via its commercial income, including from BMW UK.
But this no longer appears to be possible, and WSR seems set to fill its four-strong BMW 330i M Sport squad this season with drivers who bring financial support.
These include reigning champion Jake Hill, five-time BTCC race winner Aiden Moffat, exciting series sophomore Daryl DeLeon, plus one other driver indicated by sources to be a promising racer from the BTCC support package.
“It was always our intention to continue our partnership into a ninth consecutive season and a 19th campaign in total [including their stint in the World Touring Car Championship],” said WSR boss Dick Bennetts in a statement.
“However, despite our best efforts, commercial realities have meant that this has simply not been possible.”
With no other team in a position to offer Turkington a drive on a basis comparable with his status, he has been forced to look elsewhere for this year.
“I know this won’t be the news that so many are waiting for, but today I can confirm I will not be competing in the BTCC in 2025,” said Turkington in his own statement.
“There is not one single reason for this, simply a combination of factors and feelings that has helped me make this decision.
“For now, I don’t know if that is it for good – but I look back with huge pride at the amazing career I’ve had since debuting as a fresh-faced teenager from Northern Ireland.
“I cannot imagine having sacrificed any more or working any harder, leaving me with absolutely no regrets.
“Sustaining the highest level of performance and consistency and winning for the teams I’ve raced for is what’s driven me and the successes I’m most proud of.
“I don’t have too much more to say at this point except that this decision just feels right for me. I reflect on so many amazing memories and life experiences that only the BTCC could have given me.”
While any chance of Turkington racing again in the BTCC has to be pinned upon 2026 or beyond, he has had many outings in other categories in recent years, such as the big historic events at Goodwood, Classic Sports Car Club and Classic Touring Car Racing Club races, and even Minis.
He and wife Louise have also been overseeing the career of their eldest son Lewis, who has been competing in autograss and is now looking to graduate into circuit racing.
“On behalf of all at WSR, we wish Colin, Louise, Lewis and Adam [younger son] the very best for the future,” continued Bennetts.
“The garage just won’t be the same without ‘Team Turkington’ and his father, Trevor, around and we would be delighted to see Colin back behind the wheel of a WSR race car in the future.”
