Plato Racing, a newly established team, has officially announced its entry into the 2026 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with a pair of Mercedes-AMG A35 Saloons. The announcement was made public on January 7 during an exclusive feature with Motorsport News.
Team Background and Leadership
Jason Plato, a two-time BTCC champion and the owner of 97 race victories, leads Plato Racing. He expressed his eagerness to return to the championship when the team was unveiled last September on an ITV4 live program from Silverstone.
Entry Confirmation and Structure
Last December, Plato Racing secured two TOCA BTCC Licences (TBLs), which formally grants them the right to compete in the upcoming season. With notable engineering partner RML selected to design and build the team’s vehicles, the excitement around Plato Racing is building.
Vehicle Choice and Development
In an interview with Motorsport News, Plato discussed the decision to utilize the Mercedes-AMG A35 V177 Saloon. He stated that several cars were considered but emphasized that the Mercedes stood out due to its impressive performance and distinctive sound. “We intend it to be a rocket,” he noted.
Testing and Future Plans
Plato Racing’s new facility was inspected by TOCA towards the end of last year, where their plans received official approval. The team is scheduled to conduct a shakedown at the end of February. Furthermore, they will participate in BTCC pre-season tests at Croft on March 24-25 and at Brands Hatch on April 8.
Historical Context
The last Mercedes presence in the BTCC dates back to 2020, when Ciceley Motorsport withdrew its successful Mercedes A-Class Hatchback, which had accomplished numerous wins across its seven-year run in the championship.
For racing enthusiasts, the entry of Plato Racing marks an exciting development in the BTCC landscape. Stay tuned for further updates about their journey as they gear up for the 2026 season.
