Ricky Collard will make a return to the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for the 2026 season after being named as the final member of the Team VERTU line-up.

The 29-year-old joins the EXCELR8-run outfit for what will be his third full-season in the series, having previously spent two years with Toyota in 2022 and 2023.

Collard will partner defending champion Tom Ingram, Tom Chilton and Nicolas Hamilton in the four-strong Team Vertu line-up, with his first taste of the Hyundai i30 Fastback N he will race this year coming during the annual season launch at Brands Hatch.

A third generation racer, Collard started his career in karting before joining the Formula Ford grid for his first full season of car racing in 2014.

The following year, he finished second in the inaugural season of British F4 - beaten only by reigning Formula 1 champion Lando Norris - before going on to finish second in BRDC British F3, the series now known as GB3.

Switching to sportscars, Collard produced race-winning performances in the likes of the ADAC GT Masters and the Blancpain GT Championship prior to his two-year Toyota stint, and he has since won the British GT Championship title alongside his father and also competed in GT World Challenge Europe.

Now returning to touring car competition with the team that won the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ title last year, Collard heads into 2026 looking to add to the two BTCC podium finishes he has to his name thus far at the wheel of a car that scored nine wins in Team VERTU hands last season.

Collard’s first taste of the Hyundai will take place during the season launch event at Brands Hatch, with the opening event of 2026 coming at Donington Park later in the month.

Ricky Collard said: 
“I’m delighted to be returning to the BTCC this season as it’s a championship where I feel I’ve got unfinished business. Back in 2023, I picked up some strong results and showed I have the pace to run towards the front of the field, but I missed out on getting the win that I know I’m capable of.

“Winning the British GT title in what was a particularly competitive season allowed me to learn a huge amount, and I feel that I’m coming back into touring cars as a stronger driver and in better shape than ever.

“The opportunity to join forces with the defending champions is one that I had to take, and although this deal has all come together quite late and I won’t have much track time before round one, I’m feeling confident.

“The Hyundai is clearly a very strong package and with the support of Team VERTU behind me, I’m hoping to hit the ground running when we get to Donington Park."

Team Owner, Justina Williams said: 
“We’ve spoken to a number of drivers over the winter but when the chance arose to bring Ricky into the line-up, it was a deal we were really keen to do.

“He brings a huge amount of experience competing in a wide range of different championships and won the British GT title in impressive fashion a couple of years ago.

“Having shown he has the pace to fight for podium finishes in the past in the BTCC, we are confident he will be a strong addition to our line-up, and I see no reason why he can’t look to be right up there fighting towards the front during the season ahead.”