Matrix Motorsport has officially confirmed its return to TCR UK for 2026 season. At the heart of the campaign is veteran racer Jeff Alden, the defending TCR UK Gen 1 Cup champion, who returns to the grid with the intention of retaining that crown.

Coming off a 2025 campaign where he secured the Gen 1 title, Alden isn’t resting on his laurels. For the upcoming season, Matrix Motorsport will once again field the Opel Astra TCR Gen 1, a car that has become synonymous with Alden. However, driver and team arent just looking to repeat; they are looking to evolve.

For the 2026 campaign they have put in place a strategic technical collaboration with Lubner Motorsport. Based in Germany, Lubner has extensive knowledge of the Astra platform, having successfully campaigned the car in various European TCR series.

By tapping into Lubner’s data and engineering expertise, Alden aims to transform the Astra into a dependable and competitive package. The partnership is intending to iron out reliability issues and extract every ounce of performance from the Gen 1 machinery, ensuring Alden has the tools necessary to fight at the front of the field.

While the competitive fire burns bright, Alden is also prioritising the Gen 1 category: “It’s great to be back in TCR UK for 2026 with Matrix Motorsport,” he commented. “We’ve taken a lot of positives from last season and worked hard over the winter to improve every area. The Astra Gen 1 is a car we believe in, and with the support we have around us, we’re aiming for a consistent and enjoyable season while pushing to defend the title.”

The return of a defending champion is always a win for the series. TCR UK Championship Manager Jack Finlan expressed his enthusiasm for the entry, noting the professional standard Matrix Motorsport brings to the paddock: “Matrix Motorsport and Jeff Alden have shown just how competitive they can be, and it’s excellent to see them returning for 2026,” he said. “Their commitment and technical focus are a real asset to the championship, and they add even more strength to what is shaping up to be a very competitive grid.”