BTCC: MB Motorsport switch to Ford Focus STs for 2021

MB Motorsport have announced they will operate two Ford Focuses in the coming season of British Touring Car action.

The switch comes shortly after Mark Blundell, Shaun Hollamby and Pete Osborne affirmed the team’s acquisition of Motorbase Performance, themselves powering the new STs to race wins in its inaugural campaign in 2020.

MB Motorsport have also confirmed that the machinery will be housed by the Kent-based force.

BTCC race-winner Jake Hill committed his future to the team towards the tail-end of last year’s season, and will be partnered by an undisclosed driver come May’s opener at Thruxton.

The conversion of tin-top racers also sees the end of the FK2 Honda Civic’s tenure in Britain’s premier motorsport series – the model leaves the championship as one of the most successful in the category’s illustrious history.

Mark Blundell, Sporting Director at MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square, said:

“Today’s news marks another exciting point in the team’s journey. We all loved our debut campaign in the series last year and are all united in wanting to achieve much more in the coming year. We have a fantastic relationship with Shaun and Pete and are delighted to be working with Motorbase Performance in the next step of our journey. The Honda Civic was a fantastic car and we all loved it fondly but everything has a lifespan in motorsport and we are firm in our belief that the Ford Focus ST is a huge step forward both in terms of outright pace but also with the introduction of Hybrid engines in 2022.“

Jake Hill, the sole confirmed driver in the squad’s line-up, said:

“It’s been really difficult to keep a lid on these plans as I’ve been pretty excited about letting the cat out of the bag! I was delighted when I heard everything had been brought together and I’d be behind the wheel of a Ford Focus this coming season. The Honda Civic was a big step forward for me and I loved every race in it but today’s announcement sees us as a team go to another level again and takes my ambitions for the season ahead to a new level as well.“