Group VERTU have confirmed that they may race the British Touring Automobile Championship‘s youngest driver to contest a full season in 2027.
The transfer sees Noah Younger step into the Hyundai i30 N Fastback at Donington Park on the age of 16 years and 11 months, simply pipping Tom Chilton – who was 17 when he began his first full marketing campaign in 2002.
And, fittingly, it could be Chilton’s retirement that freed the seat for 16-year-old, with it seemingly a formality that a minimum of Tom Ingram and Nic Hamilton will proceed on the EXCELR8-run squad in 2027.
Plus, the deal sees Younger’s place confirmed for 2028, with a Group VERTU assertion confirming that his rookie marketing campaign will probably be “seen as a season by which he can be taught the ropes earlier than in search of to maneuver additional up the grid in yr two.”
Each campaigns will mark simply his third and fourth in real-life racing, although the #95-wearing peddler does have further expertise on iRacing – a simulator lauded for its authenticity.
In the actual world, Younger debuted in 2025’s Ginetta Junior sequence, taking seven Freshman class victories and an general podium within the spin-off Winter Collection, earlier than scoring a greatest championship place of P12 after a strong 2026 season.
“Ginetta Juniors has been a superb place for me to be taught during the last two seasons, with shut racing and battles for the rostrum positions from the primary lap of a race to the final,” Younger commented.
“I’ve been capable of be taught an enormous quantity about racing in a sequence that’s arduous however honest, and now I’ve an unbelievable alternative to make the transfer into probably the most high-profile sequence in UK motorsport with one of many perfect groups on the grid.
“I’m beneath no illusions that it is a large step up for me and that there are going to be loads of challenges forward, however I’m able to deal with them head on and I can not wait. Getting behind the wheel of the automotive for the primary time at Donington was an incredible expertise in itself, and it guarantees to be a busy winter getting ready for my first race within the spring.
“I’ve to say an enormous thanks to EXCELR8 and Group VERTU for backing me to make this transfer, and to my sponsors for getting me onto the grid.”
It does seem that Younger may have a complete preparation programme, having stepped into the VERTU Hyundai for the primary time at Donington Park simply yesterday.
Younger can be coached by Ingram, who’s by now a pillar of Group VERTU’s BTCC exercise.
“Noah is a younger driver who asks the best questions and takes all the pieces you say onboard, and I’ve actually loved working with him this yr.
“Racing within the BTCC is a giant step up for him because the motion is relentless and there may be nowhere to cover, however I’ve no considerations about him becoming a member of the grid regardless of his younger age.
“He’s bought the race craft, he has a mature head on younger shoulders, and I’m positive he’ll slot in properly with the staff. I’m wanting ahead to having him alongside us within the storage.”