Toyota Gazoo Racing UK has confirmed Ronan Pearson as its first driver for the 2025 British Touring Car Championship season, where he will race a Speedworks Motorsport-prepared Toyota Corolla.
Pearson, 23, made his BTCC début back in 2023, having previously been a multiple race winner in the MINI Challenge.
The Scot spent a year and a half with EXCELR8 Motorsport, during which time he won the reverse-grid race at Brands Hatch last year, although that remains his only podium finish in the series to-date.
Pearson and EXCELR8 split after the Knockhill round in 2024, and Pearson will return to the grid with Speedworks and Toyota in 2025, still eligible for the Jack Sears’ Trophy after the rules of eligibility were changed for 2025.
Whilst Pearson is the only confirmed driver at this stage, 2012 World Touring Car Champion Rob Huff remains in the frame as a potential team-mate, with Aiden Moffat confirmed elsewhere at WSR and Josh Cook not expected to return.
“When an opportunity to join a manufacturer-backed team presents itself, you have to give it proper consideration,” said Pearson. “I feel really proud to be representing the world’s number one car brand on the biggest stage in British motorsport – it’s a dream for any young driver.
“Toyota’s input on the technical side is immensely valuable, and you only have to look at what Speedworks has accomplished in the series over the years to appreciate the level of experience inside the team; that kind of knowledge plays a big part in success in the BTCC, and it’s incredible to have access to so much expertise.
“At the same time, Speedworks has always been a close-knit, family-run team at heart, and their passion and drive to win mean a lot to me – that’s the main reason why we do this, after all.
“Everybody in the team is pushing in the same direction and very hungry to succeed. I’ve got some really good people around me, and the fact that both Christian [Dick, Team Principal] and Danny [Buxton – Speedworks’ Head of Motorsport] are former racers themselves makes a huge difference, because they genuinely ‘get it’.
“Driving the Corolla for the first time really backed up my decision. I felt at home pretty much straightaway and settled in really quickly. I think that showed in the lap times, even if they weren’t the main goal given it was a cold day in October, so that was a really positive start.
“Ultimately, I want to be in the BTCC for the long-term. What I’ve learned over the past couple of seasons – both on and off-track – has shaped me into the person and driver I am now.
“I feel much more established in the championship and ready to grasp this opportunity with both hands. I really think we could be onto something here…”
![Ronan Pearson, Toyota Gazoo Racing UK [Speedworks Motorsport], Toyota Corolla GR Sport NGTC](https://www.touringcars.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ronan-Pearson-Toyota-Corolla.jpeg)
“We are fortunate to have worked with some of the very best drivers in the business during our time in the BTCC so far, and in Ronan, we strongly believe we have an extremely promising young talent and are confident we can help him to extract and exploit his full potential,” added Dick.
“Within the space of just two seasons, he has already made a significant impact in the championship and marked himself out as a star of the future.
“We have been keeping a close eye on his performances and – recognising his ability – once he became a free agent, we moved swiftly to bring him into the fold.
“Ronan was exceptional when he tested the Corolla – very quick indeed – but even more importantly, the energy and enthusiasm he brought with him put the whole team in an overwhelmingly positive mindset going into the winter rebuild.
“Everybody really picked up on the positive vibes, and we have no doubt that together, we can achieve some great things in the BTCC.”