Speedworks Corolla Racing has fired the starting gun on its 2026 BTCC campaign, confirming established winner Josh Cook and rising star Max Buxton as the pairing that will occupy their side of the Toyota garages.

The Cheshire-based squad will once again field the Corolla GR Sport, but only two will run under their name with MB Motorsport running the other two.

By pairing one of the grid’s most clinical overtakers with one of its most promising young talents, Speedworks is positioning itself as a primary protagonist for the upcoming season.

Cook’s return to the Speedworks fold is a move that sent a clear message to the rest of the paddock. Cook is no stranger to the top step of the podium, having established himself as a perennial title threat. His history with the team is already decorated with silverware; Cook raced for the team in 2024 and won races, as well as securing a dominant win in 2025.

Speaking on his return, Cook noted that the momentum from last year is the perfect springboard for a championship charge: “It’s great to be back with Speedworks Corolla Racing,” Cook said. “Winning the final race of 2025 together was a brilliant way to end the year, and it showed what we’re capable of. The aim now is to fight at the front consistently and challenge for wins from the outset.”

Occupying the second seat is 20-year-old Max Buxton, whose trajectory into the BTCC was relativley short in stepping up from BRSCC Ford Fiesta, but he impressed in his first half-season, proving that the jump from junior tin-tops to 350bhp touring cars wasn’t too steep a climb.

Despite only joining the grid midway through the previous campaign, Buxton displayed a level of racecraft usually reserved for rookies with more experience. From the first round at Croft where he was still dipping toes and catching the tail end of the field he was wheel-to-wheel with established names by the end of the year.

Reflecting on his progression, Buxton is eager to turn that early potential into a season-long campaign of results:“I’m really pleased to be continuing with the team for 2026,” Buxton remarked. “Joining the BTCC midway through last year was a huge learning experience, and scoring points in my debut season gave me a lot of confidence. Now that I know the car, the team and the championship, the goal is to keep building and aim for regular points finishes. The level in the BTCC is incredibly high, but I feel I’ve laid solid foundations, and I’m fully focused on making the most of this opportunity. The support from Speedworks Motorsport has been fantastic, and I’m determined to repay that faith with strong, consistent performances throughout the season.”

For Team Principal Christian Dick, the 2026 lineup represents the perfect blend of stability and ambition. Maintaining the same two drivers allows the engineering crew to build upon existing data sets, rather than starting from scratch with a new cockpit configuration.

“We’re absolutely delighted to confirm Josh and Max as our driver line-up for 2026 in our two Toyota Corolla GR Sport cars,” Dick stated. “Josh needs little introduction. He’s a proven winner in the BTCC and demonstrated that perfectly by taking victory in the final race of 2025 with us. He will undoubtedly be one to watch this season, and his experience will be a huge asset as we push for consistent podiums and race wins. Max showed tremendous potential last season and proved that he belongs at this level. With a full season ahead of him and continuity within the team, we expect him to take another significant step forward.”

For Speedworks the objective this year is clear: use Cook’s “uncompromising competitive edge” to hunt for the Drivers’ title, while utilizing Buxton’s growth to secure vital points for the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ standings.