Jake Hill was lost for words after securing the British Touring Car Championship title at Brands Hatch, after a finals day which saw the Laser Tools Racing driver finish on the podium in all three races including a win.
Hill went into Sunday’s finale only a point ahead of Tom Ingram, knowing that beating his rival on track was all he needed to do.
Ingram overtook Hill’s BMW early on, but on lap five Hill made the decisive move to re-pass Ingram, and he didn’t look back, pressing forward further to eventually finish second and seal the title.
Hugely emotional after the race, Hill was delighted to claim his first championship in any series he has raced in.
“It’s just a massive, overwhelming feeling of emotions,” said Hill. “I can’t quite comprehend what I’ve just achieved – I’ve won the biggest British championship you can win.
“This is my first ever championship – I’ve never won a championship in anything I’ve done. So, to win the British Touring Car Championship as my first means so much more.”
Hill admitted to being briefly concerned when Ingram got by him on the opening lap, but quickly knew he would have a stronger car.
“Initially I was like ‘he’s got me, what am I going to do?’ I was wondering if he was going to just drive off into the distance like he did in race two.
“I thought to stay calm. Then I saw that his pace had halted at the end of the second lap, and I thought ‘it’s coming’. Then it just started to swing massively in my favour. The car felt amazing. I was just laser-focussed.”
Hill praised WSR stable-mate Colin Turkington for his assistance throughout race day in sealing the title for Hill.
“It [Turkington’s help] made a massive difference. I’m incredibly grateful to Colin – he didn’t have to help. It was just the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me. I’m incredibly grateful.”
Hill also highlighted the importance of former team boss Shaun Hollamby, for whom he raced in 2019 and 2020, in helping him to get to where he is today.
“I thought my career was done in 2018, when I pulled out halfway through, and then Shaun Hollamby saved the day. A mixture of Shaun and me being team-mates with Mark [Blundell] started this journey again.
“I owe the latter part of my career to Shaun for taking a risk on me and giving me a cheap enough drive that we could somehow get the money together to do it, which we did.”
WSR Team Principal Bennetts praised both Hill and Turkington after his outfit secured two titles on Sunday in Kent.
“[In race three] we were on the pit wall talking to each other about what to do if it gets wetter or drier, talking about the tyres,” said Bennetts. “We were telling Jake to ease off – telling him that once he gets up there not to push too hard because he’d destroy the rear tyres.
“It’s been a tough year – it seems to get more competitive every year, so to come out on top and with Colin helping out the way he did was fantastic teamwork as well.
“I’m very pleased for the whole team.”