Steve Laidlaw and his son Sam will team up for the first time this weekend when they race a pair of new CUPRA Leon VZ TCR cars for Area Motorsport.
Both Steve and Sam made their TCR débuts in 2024, Steve at Snetterton and Sam at Croft, in a Hyundai i30 N TCR run by Capture Motorsport.
When Steve moved from the Hyundai to an Area Motorsport-run CUPRA Leon Competición at Croft, it opened the door for Sam to make his début in the Capture-run Hyundai.
For this weekend’s season finale at Silverstone, the father and son duo will unite at Area Motorsport, having acquired the latest TCR model with a view to campaigning the cars in 2025.
“Having joined the championship earlier this year, both Sam and I agreed that we wanted to be a part of TCR UK for the long term, so we’ve made our commitment to the championship by purchasing two brand-new CUPRA Leon VZ TCR cars,” said Steve, who was the series’ most recent race winner at Thruxton.
“Our aim is simple, to come out next season and take as many podiums as possible en-route to winning the championship.
“I cannot say enough about the support of [Area Motorsport Team Principal] Rob Baker and Richard Humphreys this season, I am very grateful to them and look forward to a new chapter with the new car.
“As for Silverstone this weekend, we’ll be going out to set a new lap record on the circuit for TCR and aiming to learn more about the cars before we begin the preparation for 2025.”
Sam scored his best-ever TCR UK result last time out with fourth, and is hoping the switch of team and car brings better results going forward.
“I’ve had a great start to my season in TCR UK and I’ve made progress as each weekend goes by,” added Sam. “I’m very grateful to everyone at Capture Motorsport for all their support as they have helped me progress as a driver.
“Area Motorsport is an amazing team, and I can see myself taking the next step in my career with them. I’m looking forward to working with them and hopefully getting the new CUPRA on the podium at Silverstone.”
Area Motorsport Team Principal Rob Baker added: “It’s great to have Sam onboard with us for the last round.
“We’ve unfortunately not had the capacity to do so at previous rounds, but now the new cars are here, we’ve managed to make it work.
“Sam’s already shown great pace in previous meetings and whilst we’re sure his pace will improve more and more with our guidance, this final race weekend is an extended test session for him, with no pressure, in a new car.
“Steve’s excelled this year, initially just wanting to win a Goodyear Diamond Trophy, he’s now had four outright podium finishes in six races including a win.
“Like Sam, the pressure is off for Steve, as he too has a new car to get used to. That all being said, both will be pushing as hard as possible to get on that podium.”