One Motorsport Team Principal Danny Buxton admits that it has been a ‘disappointing’ start to the British Touring Car Championship season for the rebranded team, with the outfit expecting a step forward at Snetterton this weekend.
Josh Cook is once again the Brackley-based team’s best-placed driver in the standings, albeit in just eighth overall, having recorded a best finish of seventh on two occasions thus far.
The results are already some way off the heights of previous seasons, with Cook having been second in the standings at the equivalent stage last year, when he already had three podium finishes, including two wins, to his name.
Aiden Moffat sits down in 19th with a best result of 12th, whilst Will Powell has yet to finish in the points in any races so far this season.
Whilst Buxton admitted that they were falling short of expectations, the former racer is confident of progress at the 2.96-mile Snetterton 300 circuit this weekend.
“The first two race weekends haven’t gone to plan,” said Buxton. “We set ourselves exceptionally high standards and have been disappointed with the performances thus far.
“With further development carried out internally since Brands Hatch, I’m confident we’ve made a step forward; but we’ll only know how far when it comes to the opening free practice session on Saturday…”
Cook has never previously won a touring car race at Snetterton, with the 31-year-old recording a best finish of second in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
In recent seasons, the Bath-based racer has struggled at the Norfolk circuit, with five of his last six races there outside the top ten.
Cook, who benefits from a Neil Brown Engineering-tuned Honda engine in his car this year, said he was confident of extracting the maximum out of his chassis as he seeks to improve on his 2023 form so far.
“Snetterton is one of the most demanding circuits on the schedule because it offers every kind of corner – both high and low speed – and it also has some flat-out sections,” explained Cook.
“That means it is always a compromise on the set-up, and this is where the homework that the One Motorsport with Starline Racing crew has put in can reap rewards.
“As well as having strong power, the key to a good lap time at Snetterton is a strong chassis, and that is where our Honda Civic FK8 really scores.
“We have an updated car this year and I am confident that we can apply our brainpower to extract the absolute maximum from it.”