Jake Hill Signs Off in Style: Emotional Podium Send-Off at Brands Hatch
It was a weekend of celebration and farewell at Brands Hatch as Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport closed the 2025 BTCC season — and said a heartfelt goodbye to Jake Hill. The reigning champion left the series on a high, delivering a composed podium in the final race and sealing fourth place in the drivers’ standings after a campaign packed with highs.
From the moment the team arrived at the Kent circuit the mood was bittersweet. The season finale carried extra weight after the announcement that Jake will be leaving the championship he’s helped define — but the aim was simple: finish strong, honour the work of everyone who’s been part of the journey, and give the fans something to remember.
Saturday set the scene. Jake and his #1 WSR-run BMW 330i M Sport ran cleanly in practice (P7 / P12) before he pushed through to the top-12 shootout. Battling blustery conditions and limited TTB (TOCA Turbo Boost) on account of his season form, he still produced the laps that mattered and secured P6 for Sunday’s opening race — a solid platform for a charged final day.
Sunday brought the sort of mixed fortune that mirrors a long season. Race 1 started promisingly, but contact in the opening exchanges put Jake out of contention with a puncture and forced an early stop — a harsh blow that ended his shot at the podium and extinguished any realistic chance of climbing further in the overall standings that day.
If Race 1 was disappointment, Race 2 was a fighter’s comeback. Starting from the back (P19), Hill methodically carved his way into the top ten within a handful of laps and, despite interruptions from safety-car periods, his relentless forward drive earned a hard-fought P7 and a place on the reverse-grid for the finale.
The final race delivered the moment everyone had hoped for. From P3 on the grid, Hill launched into Druids and into contention immediately. After a brief shuffle and a safety-car interruption, he timed his restart perfectly and executed a measured, inside pass at Surtees to reclaim P3 — then did what champions do: controlled pace, managed the pack, and brought the car home on the podium. It was a calm, composed performance that summed up his years with the team: fast when it mattered, clever under pressure and utterly dependable.
When the weekend closed, Jake stood fourth in the championship on 295 points. Across 2025 he and Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport notched up five victories and seven podiums — a memorable chapter that rounds off an extraordinary era for both driver and team.
The emotion in the paddock was obvious. Fans, engineers and teammates exchanged handshakes and hugs; there were quiet moments of reflection and loud celebrations alike. For Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, Jake’s departure is a huge moment — they’re proud of what he achieved in the #1 BMW and grateful for everything he gave the team over the years.
Jake’s next step takes him beyond these national shores into international motorsport, and while it’s hard to see him go, everyone at Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport wishes him every success. He leaves with their thanks — and with the knowledge that he’s finished in style.
Season snapshot: 2025 — 5 wins, 7 podiums, 295 points, 4th overall. A fine final curtain for a driver who gave it everything.
Jake Hill, Driver – Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport
"What an emotional weekend at Brands Hatch! Sunday was a rollercoaster of highs and lows—unfortunately, the puncture in race one dashed our hopes of finishing P3 in the championship. After that, it was all about giving our best in races two and three. Race two was a blast, moving from P19 to P7, and ending my BTCC chapter with a podium in my final race felt like the perfect send-off.
A huge thank you to everyone at Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, my incredible #1 crew at WSR, and all those involved over the past decade. You’ve helped make this one of the most memorable periods of my career, filled with unforgettable moments and truly special people. I’m so grateful for every one of them!”
Mark Blundell, Sporting Director – Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport
"This weekend delivered a full spectrum of emotions—from the disappointment of the puncture in race one, which unfortunately ended our fight for P3 in the championship, to the elation of Jake signing off from the BTCC in style with a hard-fought podium in the final race.
Our chapter with Jake has been truly special. From winning the championship to forming one of the most competitive partnerships on the grid, it has been a memorable journey for everyone involved. As we close the 2025 season and look toward 2026, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to our brilliant sponsors and partners for supporting us on and off the track, to WSR for their ongoing support, and to all the behind-the-scenes team members who form the backbone of this programme. I’m excited to see what the future holds—for both the team and Jake—as we embark on our new chapters"
Keith Anderson, Motorsport Sponsorship Coordinator of Laser Tools Racing:
“Jake has been a brilliant addition to the Laser Tools Racing family over the last three seasons. His professionalism, tenacity and ability highlight both his own qualities and the support of his family, so it’s no surprise he now has the chance to move on to an international programme. We are sad to see him go but are proud to have played a role in supporting his career, something Laser Tools Racing has done for many drivers over the years.
“Our attention now focuses on 2026 and building out another on-track programme in the BTCC with our partners at MB Motorsport that we can be proud of once again.”
Photos: Jakob Ebrey
