Cook makes swift return to BTCC grid with Toyota; Dorlin sidelined

Twenty-time British Touring Car Championship race winner Josh Cook will return to the grid with Toyota Gazoo Racing with IAA for the final three race weekends of the 2025 season.

Cook joins the Speedworks-run squad in place of James Dorlin, who joined the championship this year, having helped the team as a driver coach to rookie Max Buxton who himself made his series bow at Croft this month.

Having left the team at the end of the 2024 season, Cook competed with ONE Motorsport for the first half of 2025 but, having missed the last two rounds and with confirmation that ONE will now miss the remainder of the campaign, the 34-year-old has finalised a swift comeback.

“I’m really excited to be returning to the track in the Toyota,” said Cook, ahead of this weekend’s Donington Park round.

“It’s all come together quite last-minute, and I need to say a huge ‘thank you’ to everybody at Speedworks Motorsport for giving me this opportunity.

“I’m very much looking forward to working alongside the whole Toyota Gazoo Racing UK with IAA crew and my three new team-mates.

“It’s been a few weeks since I was last in a BTCC car, and the Corolla is now 55kg lighter than when I previously drove it due to the removal of the hybrid system.

“There will inevitably be some initial set-up exploration to get it into a place where I feel happy and comfortable, but I know the team well and they know the car inside-out, so I’m confident that together, we can quickly get up-to-speed and begin pushing for some strong results.”

Team principal Christian Dick added: “We obviously already know Josh well not only from last year but also from recent events, where he has acted as a mentor to Max Buxton, who has been unequivocal about the positive impact that Josh’s input has made as he learns the ropes in the BTCC.

“His skill behind the wheel is unquestionable, and having already piloted the Toyota to the top step of the podium on more than one occasion, we are eager to see what we can accomplish together over the coming races.”

Dorlin sidelined but remains part of the future

Dorlin has impressed with two qualifying ‘Quick Six’ appearances and 10 points finishes but a “mutual decision” has been reached for him to sit out the final three weekends of the championship and prepare for next term.

“I would like to be clear that James is still very much part of the team, and he will be on-site with us in the garage at all three upcoming race weekends,” explained Dick.

James Dorlin, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA Toyota Corolla GR Sport

Photo by: JEP

“It has been a pleasure to witness his progress over the course of this season, and he remains in our future plans.

“We jointly came to the conclusion that his stepping down would be beneficial to his prospects in the longer-term, in allowing him to focus fully on 2026, when we hope to see him return to the grid.”

Dorlin said: “I’ve really enjoyed being part of the Speedworks and Toyota Gazoo Racing UK with IAA set-up in the BTCC, but things haven’t worked out as we’d hoped recently.

“It’s been a tough decision for us all to take, particularly with the strong relationship we’ve built, but we feel it is more beneficial at this stage to step back and focus with the team on 2026, when the aim will be to challenge for podiums and race wins together.”