Andrew Watson has joined the Speedworks Motorsport-run Toyota Gazoo Racing UK outfit for this second season in the British Touring Car Championship, where he will race a Toyota Corolla GR Sport.
Watson made his debut with Power Maxed Racing and ended the year as the team’s second-best placed driver in 15th overall in the drivers’ standings.
The Northern Irishman scored his maiden podium with a second at Knockhill in August, before adding another rostrum visit when he finished third at Silverstone, with five of his six top ten finishes coming in the second half of the year.
Having previously been a successful racer in sportscars, including in the FIA World Endurance Championship, British GT Championship and Blancpain GT Series, Watson made the switch to touring cars just one year ago.
He went on to claim the Jack Sears Trophy for rookie drivers in the BTCC, having notched up ten wins in that category, along with three victories in the Independents’ championship, where he placed fourth overall.
“I’m extremely excited to be joining TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK and Speedworks Motorsport for the 2024 season,” said 29-year-old Watson.
“They are proven winners in the BTCC with a fantastic track record – and I’m hoping to add to that tally! With a year under my belt, I can go into the season properly acclimatised to the championship and hit the ground running.
“To be associated with one of the world’s leading manufacturers is an amazing opportunity for me, and I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone at Speedworks Motorsport, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK and MBP for all of their support.
“Having met the team and explored the facilities, there’s no doubt that this is one of the most professional organisations I have worked with, and that fills me with great confidence that we can achieve something special together this year!”
Christian Dick, Team Principal of Toyota Gazoo Racing UK, described signing Watson as a ‘real coup’.
“It’s a real coup to attract Andrew to the team for 2024,” added Dick. “Although he was by no means a rookie in the wider motorsport sense when he joined the BTCC last year, he was very new to both front wheel-drive and the unique style of racing in the series.
“But right from the start, you would have been hard-pressed to tell, so impressive were his performance, pace and racecraft.
“We also saw that the skills he acquired earlier in his career enable him to adapt very quickly to any given situation – a key attribute in the unpredictable world of the BTCC.
“He is an extremely accomplished racer and clearly a very special talent who looks destined for great things in the championship. We can’t wait to get going!”
Watson’s team-mate will be revealed in the coming weeks.