Sam Osborne joins Andy Neate in Motorbase line-up

Sam Osborne will line-up alongside Andy Neate in the two Motorbase Performance-entered Ford Focus STs for the 2021 BTCC season.

After confirmation that Ollie Jackson will partner Jake Hill in the second of the MB Motorsport Fords, Osborne – who was partner to Hill last season – will be paired up with Neate as he continues with the Ford team into a second season.

Osborne’s father Pete purchased Motorbase along with AmD boss Shaun Hollamby over the winter.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Motorbase Performance this year,” he said. “With this team, I can continue my progression in 2021. Last year I began to really settle into the series, so my aim for this season is to keep pushing myself as hard as I can and fight for the Jack Sears Trophy.

“Everyone knows how fiercely competitive the BTCC is and that it takes time to adjust. For me, that is a process I have now been through and it’s up to me to show what I am really about this year. With the car we’ve got and the team around me, I think I’ve got every chance and I can’t wait to get started.”

Neate will be hoping to put a challenging 2020 campaign behind him as he remains with the same team and package for a second season for the first time in his BTCC career.

“I’m more determined than ever this year,” he said. “For anyone, making it to the grid in the BTCC is a fantastic achievement. For me, returning to the grid with Motorbase Performance for a second consecutive season – something I have never done before – is really exciting.

“Last year for me was not my best year, but after such a long time out and coming back into such a competitive season, it really took me by surprise in terms of how much higher the standard is. But now with that year under my belt, I am chomping at the bit to get going and show my true performance out on-track. The team and I have a great programme lined up and I really am working harder than ever to showcase the results I know I can deliver.”