The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) has announced that it will be phasing out hybrids and switching to sustainable fuels, three years after introducing the Cosworth-supplied hybrid system in 2022. The decision to discontinue the hybrid system at the end of this season means that cars will now be 55kg lighter, maintaining their power output of around 350bhp.
Instead of the electrical motor-generator providing an overtaking boost, drivers will now receive extra power from the engine’s turbocharger starting in 2025. To enhance the racing experience, the BTCC has opted to remove the notification of turbo boost deployment from teams’ live timing screens, believing that this will prevent teams from strategically countering its use.
Although this information will no longer be displayed on live timing screens, spectators can still track the deployment of boost through LED lights on the side windows of each car and live television broadcast graphics. BTCC boss Alan Gow expressed the championship’s commitment to innovation in motorsport by introducing 100% fossil-free sustainable fuel for 2025. He emphasized that this move aligns with the BTCC’s goal of maintaining competitiveness and excitement in a more sustainable and forward-thinking manner.
Gow highlighted that the BTCC has achieved its objectives with hybridization and can now progress further by embracing fossil-free sustainable fuel. This strategic shift underscores the championship’s dedication to environmental sustainability while upholding its reputation as the UK’s premier racing series. Stay tuned for more updates on the BTCC’s transition to sustainable fuels as they continue to lead the way in motorsport innovation.
