BTCC: Max Buxton joins Toyota as permanent replacement for Ronan Pearson

Toyota Gazoo Racing have signed young star Max Buxton for rest of the BTCC season.

Buxton joins the BTCC grid as the now youngest driver on the grid as the young star will make his debut at Croft in just under weeks time when the series returns.

Starting racing in 2024, he made a name for himself in the Fiesta ST150 Challenge taking 4 out of 8 wins and 6 total podiums. He also took three pole positions in the first three race weekends of the season and a number of fastest laps.

Throughout 2025, he was supposed to partake in a number of tests with the team but he has taken the opportunity to jump into the seat for the remainder of the year.

He completed well more than the 300km minimum running required for a new driver with tests at Snetterton and Pembrey as he gets ready for action and to take on BTCC.

Team Principal, Christian Dick, said: “Aside from being Danny’s son (Speedworks Head of Motorsport, Danny Buxton), Max is one of the most exciting young drivers to emerge in recent seasons. He’s shown maturity, pace and race craft beyond his years, and we strongly believe he has the potential to thrive in the cut-and-thrust of the BTCC.

“I must stress that given his comparative lack of experience and limited mileage in high-level touring car machinery, there are zero expectations for the forthcoming five race weekends. Rather than being thrown in at the deep end with the pressure to deliver results, Max’s mid-season entry has been strategically planned as a learning opportunity – and there is no better way to hone your skillset than in the heat of battle, particularly in a series as ultra-competitive as the BTCC.

“This real-world test programme has been designed to help Max to fast-track his career and lay the foundations for a full-season assault in 2026 and beyond. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the family and look forward to seeing him develop over the next few years.”

With the announcement of him joining the team, Max Buxton said: “I’m incredibly proud to be joining Toyota Gazoo Racing for my BTCC debut. It’s an opportunity I’ve been working towards since I started racing, and I’m fully focused 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.”

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