Reigning British Touring Car champion Ash Sutton is keen to end his 2018 campaign on a positive note this weekend at Brands Hatch as he feels he has “nothing to lose.”
Sutton currently sits fourth in the championship standings, out of title contention 77 points adrift of leader Colin Turkington.
The Team BMR racer says he is only focused on scoring victories this weekend on the 2.43-mile GP layout, keen to end his title defence season positively now his main goal is unachievable.
“No expectations, we’re just going to go and give it our all – we’ve got nothing to lose now in my eyes,” said Sutton.
“We’re going to try and get at least a race win, but just going to try to enjoy it and see the year out well.”
Although Sutton is only nine points away from third-place man Tom Chilton in the standings, he says he is not “overly fussed” about where he finishes now his title defence is over.
“For me I’m here to win the championship, and that’s out of the equation now,” he said.
“Don’t get me wrong, to finish in the top three would be nice but I’m not overly fussed.
“I’ve only ever come here to try and win it.”
Despite being crowned BTCC champion in the final round of the season last year on the Brands Hatch GP circuit, Sutton is unsure as to where he can qualify tomorrow [28 September].
“It’s hard to say, obviously we qualified third here last year. But this year is a lot closer so I don’t know if that’s going to be quite possible,” Sutton said.
“We’ll just give it our best and it all comes down to Sunday anyway.”
With the large off-season looming after Sunday’s races, Sutton says he having “conversations” about next year, but it’s still “too early to say” what he’ll be racing in 2019.
“Like every driver on the grid, we’re all thinking about next year,” he said.
“Conversations are being had and we’ll see. If I’m honest with you, it’s too early to say.”