Hybrid system set to debut at Silverstone

The new hybrid system that will feature in the British Touring Car Championship next season is set to make its race debut when the series heads to Silverstone in September.

Barring any unforeseen issues in testing, the Toyota Corolla hybrid test car will compete in the full race meeting in the hands of former champion Andrew Jordan, who has been tasked with completing much of the development testing carried out to date.

As well as running the new hybrid components, the car will debut the 2022 version of the TOCA engine, which has been developed by M-Sport.

Although taking part in every on track session across the weekend, the car will not be eligible to score championship points and will start all three races from the pit lane to avoid interfering with the championship battles.

“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the plan is to run at Silverstone in both free practices, qualifying and the three races,” series boss Alan Gow said.

“It will be invisible as far as championship points go, and wherever it qualifies it won’t be starting from there.

“Competing at our Silverstone event is part of its full development cycle; although the hybrid components and engine have done far in excess of a seasons worth of running, we want it to also go through a normal race weekend procedure.

“So whilst it won’t get involved in any real dicing with other cars, it’s important that our fans and partners have the opportunity of seeing the hybrid car in action ahead of 2022.”