TCR UK race winner Steve Laidlaw has confirmed that he will return to the series in 2025 to campaign the Cupra Leon VZ that he debuted at Silverstone for the 2024 finale. Laidlaw will remain with Area Motorsport, with son Sam also returning for the upcoming campaign.

“2024 was a year of education and development for Sam and I as drivers,” stated Laidlaw, as he begins preparations with an aim to take the TCR UK crown. “We achieved all of our goals and then exceeded many of them with the tireless help and support of Rob, Rich and the team at Area Motorsport.

“In the off-season, we’ve been working on the sim and on driver development at a range of different tracks, making sure we are really learning how to get the very best out of the team, Car and Driver combos. We feel incredibly confident coming into 2025 that with all of those things on point and dedicated effort, taking the top step of the podium at many events is possible. And we absolutely are competing for a championship title win.”

Laidlaw took a first victory in an emotional race at Thruxton in mixed conditions last season in a Cupra Leon Competicion. After missing the opening round Laidlaw Sr entered the championship at Snetterton in a Hyundai i30N, before the move to Cupra. Seventh overall in the standings by year end, with an additional two podium finishes, was a solid foundation for he and the team to build upon for 2025.

Sam entered the championship at Croft in an i30 N and became a regular points scorer before also racing a Leon VZ at the final round.

Area Team Boss Rob Baker said: “We’re really proud as a team of what Steve achieved last year, he sets his goals of a Goodyear Diamond Award win and quickly smashed them. The goal then changed to a race win which he took at Thruxton. His focus and drive to do well along with a good car underneath him, has propelled him to wanting to fight for the championship in 2025. Given the right equipment and the progress we’re making over the winter, it’s a great aim to have.”

TCR UK promoter Stewart Lines stated: “It’s great to see Steve come back for 2025. He made a big commitment to TCR UK with the purchase of the CUPRA Leon VZ TCRs and I look forward to seeing how the cars perform now that they have been developed further. Steve proved last year that you can come into the championship, learnt about the car and racing, become a front runner and then a race winner. I wish him all the best for the new season.”

The confirmation of two more entrants by this point of the year – alongside Finn Leslie at PMR – bodes well for the series. With more drivers to be announced, and yet more exploring the possibility of entering, it is good news for the series after a controversial off-season.

The World Sporting Consulting imposed TCR homologation news in December appeared to put TCR – initially in the UK, then worldwide – on the backfoot. But it does not appear to have had a negative effect on the UK championship.