Jake Hill storms Brands: Pole, Win, and Podium ignite title charge
Jake Hill and the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport team came out fighting at Brands Hatch, blasting back into title contention with a commanding weekend that included pole position, a lights-to-flag victory, and another hard-earned podium in the second track meeting of the 2025 British Touring Car Championship.
Returning to home turf at the tight and twisty Kent circuit, Hill wasted no time shaking off the Donington dust. On Saturday, he threw down a monster lap in qualifying to claim pole — his fourth in the BTCC, but his first at Brands Hatch — lighting up the timing screens and the local crowd.
Come Sunday, Jake turned that pole into pure gold in Race 1. With the iconic #1 on the side of his WSR-prepared BMW 330i M Sport, he nailed the start and never looked back, leading every lap in dominant fashion. That win marked his 21st in the series and his 60th BTCC podium — a landmark moment for the reigning champ.
But BTCC weekends are never short on curveballs. Under the new 2025 rules, all top-three finishers from Race 1 had to run the hard compound tyre in Race 2 — a serious challenge at the short Brands Hatch Indy circuit. Hill managed his tyres expertly through the early stages, but a mid-race Safety Car wiped out his gains. Once racing resumed, rivals on softs pounced, and despite a spirited defence, Jake was shuffled back to P8 at the flag.
Still, that gritty drive earned him a spot in the reverse grid draw — and lady luck finally smiled, placing him P2 on the grid for the final race. What followed was a nail-biting showdown with title rival Tom Ingram in a battle that had echoes of last season’s championship scrap. Under relentless pressure, Hill showed his class, fending off every move to take second place and cap off a brilliant bounce-back weekend.
With 48 points banked at Brands, Jake now sits third in the standings on 80 points, just 12 shy of the current series lead — and with serious momentum heading to Snetterton on May 24–25.
Jake Hill, #1 Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport:
"What a weekend we’ve had. A win, a second, an eighth, and pole on Saturday too — it’s been mega. Huge credit to everyone at Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport and WSR for giving me a fantastic car all weekend. The team effort has been phenomenal, and it’s paid off in a big way. Now, it’s all eyes on Snetterton as we look to keep the momentum going."
Title defence? Very much back on.
Photos: Jakob Ebrey
