Max Hart has announced he will return to TCR UK with new entrant Hall’s Racing in a JAS Honda Civic FL5. The move comes alongside his previously announced 2026 TCR Europe campaign.

Hart will become the first driver in the history of TCR UK to run the full series alongside a parallel TCR campaign in another WSC sanctioned championship, and it will be the first time since 2022 that he will tackle the UK arm of the global Touring Car format.

He joins teammate Max Hall, meaning that at least four Hondas will be added to the grid for the season that begins in just over three weeks time.

“I’m super excited to be racing in TCR UK this year, as a JAS Supported driver, racing for Hall’s Racing,” he stated. “I’m confident ahead of my return. It’s a great honour to be representing JAS and Honda in the latest stage of my career, and I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do with the Honda Civic Type R FL5.

“During my time away, I’ve added some great achievements to my CV but also done a lot of travelling, so it will be a bit easier this year as I compete in the UK and Europe. My goal for 2026 is clear: go out and win the TCR UK Drivers Title.”

Hart enters 2026 as one of the most experienced drivers in the field, marking his seventh year in TCR competition. His journey has seen international success, including on the circuit that is considered to be the holy grail for Tin Top racers. A career-defining victory on the legendary streets of Macau while racing in TCR China stands out alongside stint in TCR Asia and TCR Europe where he has taken wins, as well as making his TCR World Tour debut at the tail end of 2025.

Supported by O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey and Pam Oil Company Limited, Hart is focusing his energy on a dual-title assault. Switching to the Honda Civic Type R FL5 TCR – the first time he has raced for the brand – represents a rare opportunity to hunt for both the UK and European drivers’ titles simultaneously, but the domestic championship in Britain has changed dramatically in the years since his last campaign in his Jamsport run Hyundai i30.

“I love racing in the UK, and it’s great to be racing on the best circuits in the country,” he added. “It’s very clear that the championship has moved on massively since I last competed here, however, as a driver, I have also made big strides in my career.”

Across the three years that Hart raced in the TCR class of the Touring Car Trophy he bagged four wins, with three of those coming at Donington Park, a venue that the championship will visit twice this term. Ever a championship contender Hart took a podium in every round of the lockdown shortened 2020 season before being involved in what can now be considered as a classic final day five way showdown in 2021.

 Championship Manager Jack Finlan realises that the return of alumni of the stature of Hart can only serve to solidify the higher quality of the 2026 field. “I’m always delighted to welcome back old friends to the championship, and it’s with great pleasure to see Max make his return for 2026,” He stated. “Having begun his TCR career in the UK, Max has raced in some of the biggest series around the globe, including topping the podium at Macau and racing in the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour, a CV that speaks for itself.”

Finlan believes Hart’s career trajectory perfectly illustrates the strength of the TCR platform. “The TCR Concept shows that drivers can start in their national series and make their way up to World level, and Max has been one of the many drivers out of the UK to follow this path. Armed with the Honda Civic this year, he has the chance to add further silverware to his cabinet. 2026 is looking to be the most exciting year yet for TCR UK.”