Dexter Patterson hopes to return to the BTCC grid in 2026, looking to build on a season of highs and lows after rejoining the championship this past season. After a year away, the Scottish driver found moments of promise in the Cupra but also struggled for consistency, a challenge he is determined to overcome as he targets both Independents’ success and strong overall results in the future.

“I had a little bit of time away to go and try different things. Probably had a bit of a different mindset coming back this year,” Patterson explained. “It was definitely an improvement from the team side compared to when I was last there.”

The season itself, he admits, was a mixed bag. “I think it was probably a season of two halves. We probably had five good races and five where we struggled. Some weekends we were fighting for Independents’ wins and then sometimes we were just sort of lost, trying to find what was wrong with the car.

“That probably cost us quite a lot, especially at the end of the season. But don’t get me wrong, there’s still a lot of good points that came from it.”

Among the standout weekends, Croft provided a glimpse of what the team could achieve when everything clicked. “I think speed-wise, standout was probably Croft. We should’ve maybe got a double Independents’ win there, just missed out in the last corner. Knockhill was also not too bad, but Croft was probably the most consistent weekend of them all,” he said.

Despite inconsistency, Patterson remained mathematically in contention for both the Jack Sears Trophy and Independents’ Championship late into the campaign. “After halfway, we were a little bit far away, but we were always still in it. You’re always trying to catch up and see what you can do to stay in it.”

Off the track, the BTCC off-season has given Patterson a chance to stay sharp, particularly with his 2025 team, Un-Limited Motorsport, as a driver coach, as the team have recently completed an array of arrive and drive days.

“Even though I wasn’t driving a lot of the time, it was good to be in the car, still doing a couple of laps just keeping my eye on it. Apart from that, a little bit of swim, gym, and just working every day at home. Nothing particularly exciting, but I’m trying to get a bit of running in the new year before the season starts.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Patterson is focused on returning to the grid and building on the progress of last year. “We’ll try and get a package together for next year. We’re probably halfway there, and hopefully get something done in January. But I think we’ve got a plan in. We’ll see if it happens, but we’ll wait and see. We’re hoping to be back on the grid anyway.”

For the Scotsman, the goal is simple: improve on last year and find a more consistent platform.

“I’d say either fighting for the Independents’ Championship, or even just an outright podium as well would be good. Just a nice, clean, consistent season, fighting in the top ten every weekend would be great.”

With lessons learned from 2025 and a focus on building a strong foundation, Patterson is determined to return in 2026 ready to challenge at the sharp end of the BTCC grid.