Tom Chilton will continue with Excelr8 Motorsport in the 2023 British Touring Car Championship, as he remains on the grid for a 17th season in the championship.
Chilton, 37, recently scored his best result of the season last time out at Silverstone, bringing his Hyundai i30 N Fastback home in seventh place in race three.
Having returned to front-wheel drive in 2022, following a year in a rear-wheel drive BMW, Chilton currently sits 15th in the drivers’ standings with three races left to run.
The 14-time BTCC race winner has scored eight top ten finishes in the current season, more than the five he obtained in his troubled 2021 campaign.
Chilton will campaign a brand-new Hyundai next year, which will be built by the Suffolk-based team over the coming winter. The team’s other three cars for 2023 will also be upgraded during the winter.
“I’m absolutely delighted to confirm that I’ll be back with EXCELR8 again for a second season, and that we have the opportunity to build on everything we have learned in 2022,” said Chilton.
“The continuity of staying with the same team is something that I have lacked over the last few years, but having now agreed this extension, I truly believe that people are going to see a very different Tom Chilton on track in 2023.
“This year, a lot of time has gone into developing the Hyundai to give me what I need from a car, and the improvement in pace has taken me closer to where I want to be – and where I know I should be.
“All of that work behind the scenes can now be carried over into the new car, and it means I’m going to be in much stronger position going into the new season; arguably the strongest position I’ve been in for a while.
“We have a real platform to build on, and I’m confident that we will be running in the top ten from the start and that I will be back in the mix for silverware.
“I want to get back onto the top step of the podium, and without doubt, this is the best place for me to try and achieve that goal.
“While I’m looking forward to strengthening my relationship with the team, it’s also exciting to know that I’ll be working with Bristol Street Motors again as they have been hugely supportive this year.
“I’m confident that together, we can make a real success of 2023.”
Justina Williams, Team Owner, expects to see Chilton challenging higher up the grid next year as a result of the improvements to the car the team are making.
“It’s fantastic for us to be in a position to confirm that Tom will be racing with us again in 2023,” added Williams.
“The knowledge and experience he has been able to bring to the team this season has been hugely important, and his input has played a key part in the success that we have enjoyed on track.
“Tom’s record in the championship speaks for itself and with a season under his belt in the Hyundai, we’re looking forward to seeing him challenging towards the sharp end of the BTCC grid again in 2023.”