Jake Hill set to stay at BMW for 2023 British Touring Car Championship

British Touring Car Championship star Jake Hill is set to remain with West Surrey Racing next season after narrowly missing out on his maiden title at the weekend.

The 28-year-old, from Platt's Heath near Maidstone, enjoyed his best-ever campaign in the series, taking his BMW 330e to three victories and 10 other podiums.

His eye-catching season impressed legendary BTCC team boss Dick Bennetts, who saw his man lose out to new champion Tom Ingram and runner-up Ash Sutton in Sunday's finale at Brands Hatch.

"Jake has done a fantastic job – he's fitted in well and the car has been reliable for him," the New Zealander said.

"We had to calm him down a bit as he was a bit too aggressive early in the year, but we'd love to have him back.

"I don't get involved in the commercial side, I'm on the technical side, but it's all shaping up very well. I like Jake – he's a good little bloke."

Bennetts, who has taken Hill's team-mate Colin Turkington to his four BTCC crowns, feels his young charger has what it takes to become champion.

"You need four ingredients to win a championship: a good car, a good engine, a good team and a good driver," he said.

"You can drop one of those and still win the occasional race, but you won't win a championship unless you've got all four.

"We have got all of those so the ingredients are there."

After qualifying fifth, Hill got the better of Sutton to claim third in Sunday's first race before chasing Ingram to the flag in the second encounter.

His seventh-place finish in the finale meant he ended the season one point shy of Sutton in the overall standings, with his former Ginetta rival Ingram 13 points ahead.

"I am extremely proud of what we've achieved, especially in the second half of the season," Hill