BTCC Donington Park 2026: Sutton Stars as Rowbottom Makes History in the First-Ever Qualifying Race

Ash Sutton, BTCC

The opening BTCC weekend at Donington Park has always been one of the highlights of the racing calendar, but this year the championship introduced an extra layer of tension with the addition of the new Qualifying Race. On a circuit as fast and punishing as Donington, where bravery through Craner Curves can make or break a lap, the extra race didn’t just add entertainment—it added pressure, strategy, and a fresh opportunity for drivers to gain a crucial advantage.

With championship points and grid positions on the line, the Donington round became a four-part battle rather than the traditional three-race showdown.

Saturday’s qualifying session set the tone for the weekend, with the field packed tightly together. Donington is a track that demands confidence, especially in the opening sector, and the drivers pushed hard to find time wherever possible. As the session progressed, the lap times dropped rapidly. The front runners were separated by only tenths, and a small mistake—running wide at the Old Hairpin or getting unsettled through the Fogarty Esses—was enough to ruin a lap completely.

In the end, pole position was secured with a near-perfect lap, by none other than Tom Ingram, showing just how sharp the competition is this season. But behind the front row, the grid was stacked with proven winners, making it clear that pole alone wouldn’t guarantee an easy weekend.

Saturday continued with the newly introduced Qualifying Race, a format change that immediately proved its value. Unlike traditional qualifying, this wasn’t about one perfect lap—it was about surviving the chaos of touring car racing while still delivering speed.

From the lights going out, the intensity was obvious. Drivers knew that the result would influence the grid and the flow of the main races, so there was no room for caution. Donington’s first corner at Redgate saw the field bunch up tightly, with several cars fighting for the same piece of tarmac.

The opening laps were aggressive but calculated, with drivers making bold moves into the Melbourne Hairpin and trying to force mistakes through McLeans. The pressure at the front was relentless, and behind them the midfield erupted into the usual Donington madness—cars running wide, wheels on the grass, and positions changing every few corners. 

Sadly on lap 2 Ash Sutton made contact with reigning-champion Tom Ingram causing him to spin out and land in the gravel trap meaning he missed out on the rest of the race. A frustrating evening for the champion as a post - race penalty was given for a false start meaning he finished second behind Daniel Rowbottom who claimed the first ever qualifying race win! Earning him, and team Plato Racing, 10 championship points!

With the Qualifying Race setting the order and rattling nerves, Race One, on Sunday, had everyone on the edge of their seats. The front of the grid launched cleanly, but the pack behind wasted no time going three-wide into Redgate. Drivers threw their cars into the high-speed Craner Curves section. A few took too much kerb, unsettling their cars and opening the door for rivals to pounce.

Up front, the leader had to defend hard through Coppice and onto the back straight, all while keeping a close eye on everyone behind, ready to strike if anyone made the slightest mistake. Tom Ingram won followed by Mikey Doble but due to a 10 second time penalty given to Ingram - for overuse of his boost- Doble inherited the win for LKQ Euro car parts with Power Maxed racing. With Ash Sutton starting last and finishing second. Cataclean Plato Racing’s Adam Morgan made his way to third at the finish, but his car had also committed a minor overboost infringement and was issued a post-race five-second penalty, handing the final place on the podium to Charles Rainford. 

Race Two is often where Donington becomes brutal. Tyres begin to fade, setups get exposed, and drivers who were lucky in Race One are forced to defend their positions against faster cars. This time, the intensity ramped up again. The leading group battled through the entire race, with overtakes attempted into the Melbourne Hairpin and under braking into Redgate.

Several drivers who struggled earlier in the weekend fought back strongly, carving through the field with clean, decisive moves. The pace difference between cars became clearer as the race progressed, but that didn’t stop defensive driving from slowing the front runners and allowing others to close in.

By the finish, the top runners had once again established themselves, but it was clear the weekend wasn’t going to allow any driver to dominate without a fight.

Sadly, Ingram pulled into pit lane with an issue after the green flag lap and therefore missed out on this race. Rainford started strongly, stealing first place from Doble but due to their battle Sutton managed to squeeze past them on the first lap and stayed strong all the way to the end to secure his first win of the season. Nic Hamilton caused what many drivers and fans say should've been a safety car after he beached his car in the gravel on lap 1.

If the Qualifying Race added a new tactical element, Race Three reminded everyone why BTCC remains the most unpredictable championship in British motorsport.

The reverse grid threw the usual order into disarray. Drivers who had been midfield all weekend suddenly found themselves at the front, while the championship contenders had to fight their way through heavy traffic.

The first lap was explosive. Cars fanned out across the track into Redgate, with several drivers forced wide and others taking advantage of gaps that barely existed. A small incident in the pack caused momentary chaos, costing some drivers several positions instantly.

The standout performance came from Ash Sutton, starting deeper down the grid then slicing through the field with confidence and aggression. By the halfway stage, the top 5, were battling for the podium, making full use of Donington’s braking zones and sweeping corners to outclass slower cars ahead.

As always, the final laps were a defensive masterclass from those leading the race. With pressure building and bumpers almost touching, the Sutton had to stay perfect until the very end. The podium celebrated 3 very talented drivers with Ash Sutton taking the top step, Tom Ingram taking second, and Ricky Collard taking the final step.

With the championship battle tightening and the new format already shaking things up, Donington proved one thing: BTCC is evolving—but it hasn’t lost its identity. If anything, it’s become even more ruthless.

Written by Lauren Moore