Jack Butel switches to Team HARD for 2023

Jack Butel has confirmed that he will remain on the BTCC grid this season after switching to Team HARD.

Butel moves to the Cupra team after a two-year stint with EXCELR8 Motorsport and will line-up alongside former team-mate Daniel Lloyd who confirmed a similar move prior to Christmas.

The 26-year-old is the fourth driver confirmed in the HARD line-up alongside Lloyd, Bobby Thompson and Dexter Patterson.

“I’m back again for another crack at the BTCC and I’m delighted to be able to move across to Team HARD. for this season,” he said. “It’s something that I have been looking at doing for a while, but our paths have never quite aligned.

“I’ve watched the team grow stronger and stronger over the years and now is a great time to join them. The Cupra looks fast, there is a buzz around the team and having met a lot of the staff, I know we are going to have a great relationship as we push the team on even further this year.  

“They have a great driver line-up this year and I’m excited to start working with the likes of Bobby and Dexter who were very quick last season as well as linking up with Dan once again, who I worked well with last year. Combining all of these factors, I’m confident of a really strong debut season with Team HARD.”

Team boss Tony Gilham said he was pleased to welcome Butel into the line-up, with a focus on trying to help him fight for Jack Sears Trophy honours.

“Jack is a great lad and we’ve been in talks for a few years now to try and get him into one of our Cupra Leons,” he said. “I’m delighted to say that 2023 is that year, and we can’t wait to work on making this season the most successful year for Jack in the BTCC to date. He is a driver that we really believe in and we are confident that he will be able to challenge consistently for the Jack Sears this season to help up defend the title won by Bobby in 2022.

“It’s been a very busy off-season for the team with lots of advancements in not only our driver line-up but also our engineering department. The Cupra showed lots of potential in 2022 and we are looking to take the next step towards the front. Jack’s experience in the series is only going to help that progress after spending two years developing the Hyundai I30 Fastback.

“We have a fantastic driver line-up for this season and Jack is going to slip in fantastically with the culture we have developed at Team HARD. over the past couple of years. The whole team can’t wait for the season to start!”