Ash Sutton will remain with the BMR Racing team for the 2019 BTCC season after agreeing a deal to stay with the Subaru squad.

The 2017 title winner will embark on his third year at the wheel of the Subaru Levorg GT alongside new team-mate Senna Proctor, who was confirmed in the sister car earlier this week.

Having finished fourth in the standings last year, despite winning more races than anyone else, Sutton will now seek to try and reclaim his championship crown during the year ahead and said he couldn’t wait to get the campaign underway.

“First thing’s first; I am bouncing off the walls to be returning for my fourth BTCC season and my third season with the BMR, Adrian Flux Subaru Racing outfit,” he said. “Secondly, trying to keep this on the lo-down since the end of last year has been very difficult!

“My second season, 2017, was really the start of a journey for me, landing myself a manufacturer seat in Subaru, with a fantastic team behind it. To be the one to go and secure them their first BTCC title made it very clear that this would now be home for me.

“Having all parties back on-board for the 2019 season means we have all the required assets to step it up a level. With the addition of Senna Proctor as my team-mate, who, like myself, originally progressed through the BMR Academy, we’re looking good for a strong campaign.

“We had a lot of bad luck last year which cost us the chance to go out and defend the title but having been in touch with the hard work going on back at base throughout the winter, it’s certainly shaping up nicely.

“The guys have been doing a sterling job and I’m very excited about our plans moving forward. Along with our developments for the season, we’re aiming for a huge uplift. To see things unfold and watch the Subaru Levorg GT start to take shape again has left me champing at the bit.”

Sutton will get behind the Levorg for the start of testing in the coming weeks, with team manager Mickey Sergeant delighted to have the former champion back onboard.

“It’s a given I’m thrilled that Ash is remaining with the team and excited that together with Senna we have a young team that can push us forward this season,” he said.

“Continuity is a word bandied about quite often in motorsport and it’s key for both the team and Ash in order to build on and replicate our success. Much has gone on behind the scenes to strengthen the team and to maximise the Levorg’s performance in a championship that gets tighter and more competitive every year.

“Having Ash on-board for another season is the final part of the jigsaw for our 2019 BTCC campaign and the news we all longed for. Together with Senna we have a great pairing capable of running at the sharp end. One thing’s for sure, it’ll be entertaining to watch!”