Sam Laidlaw has moved across to join his father Steve at Area Motorsport, for the final weekend of the 2024 TCR UK Touring Car Championship.
This means that the Laidlaws will compete for the same team, for the first time this season, driving brand-new CUPRA Leon VZ TCR cars, as the model makes its championship debut this weekend.
Launched earlier this year, the new CUPRA has already seen success in its first season of TCR competition.
Steve and Sam will look to make their mark as the 2024 season comes to a close at the Northamptonshire venue, before getting winter testing underway, ahead of a planned return for 2025.
Steve, who joined the championship back at Snetterton in May, has made impressive gains this season, claiming his first TCR UK race win at Thruxton, despite challenging conditions.
Sam made his debut at Croft in July, where he has made steady improvements in the Capture Motorsport run Hyundai i30 N TCR his father drove. Thruxton was also a good weekend for Sam, where he took his highest finish so far this season, a fourth place in race three.
Having tested the new car, Steve is eager to hit the ground running, with the move to the new model part of a long-term commitment to TCR UK.
“Having joined the championship earlier this year, both Sam and I agreed that we wanted to be a part of TCR UK for the long term, so we’ve made our commitment to the championship by purchasing two brand new CUPRA Leon VZ TCR cars,” explained Steve.
“Our aim is simple, to come out next season and take as many podiums as possible en route to winning the championship. I cannot say enough about the support of Rob Baker and Richard Humphreys this season, I am very grateful to them and look forward to a new chapter with the new car.”
“As for Silverstone this weekend, we’ll be going out to set a new lap record on the circuit for TCR and aiming to learn more about the cars before we begin the preparation for 2025.”
Sam is pleased with the progress he has made with Capture Motorsport this season and is very grateful for their support as he prepares to begin a new chapter with Area Motorsport.
“I’ve had a great start to my season in TCR UK and I’ve made progress as each weekend goes by. I’m very grateful to everyone at Capture Motorsport for all their support as they have helped me progress as a driver,” explained Sam.
“Area Motorsport is an amazing team, and I can see myself taking the next step in my career with them. I’m looking forward to working with them and hopefully getting the new CUPRA on the podium at Silverstone.”
Area Motorsport Team Principal Rob Baker welcomed Sam to the team, ahead of the switch to the new CUPRA’s for the season finale.
“It’s great to have Sam onboard with us for the last round. We’ve unfortunately not had the capacity to do so at previous rounds, but now the new cars are here, we’ve managed to make it work,” Rob explained.
“Sam’s already shown great pace in previous meetings and whilst we’re sure his pace will improve more and more with our guidance, this final race weekend is an extended test session for him, with no pressure, in a new car.”
“Steve’s excelled this year, initially just wanting to win a Goodyear Diamond Trophy, he’s now had four outright podium finishes in six races including a win. Like Sam, the pressure is off for Steve, as he too has a new car to get used to. That all being said, both will be pushing as hard as possible to get on that podium.”
Championship Promoter Stewart Lines is excited to see the Laidlaws make this long-term commitment to TCR UK and to see the new CUPRA make its debut this weekend.
“I’m pleased to see both Steve and Sam commit to the championship in this way, they have made rapid progress in TCR UK this year. It’s great to see the newest CUPRA TCR model make its debut in the UK, I look forward to seeing how the Laidlaws get on in our final event of the year.”
You can purchase tickets for the final event of the 2024 season, at Silverstone on the International circuit, from their website: https://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/tcr-uk-touring-car-championship-season-finale
To find out more about the TCR UK Touring Car Championship visit https://www.tcr-uk.co.uk/ for more information and how to get involved.
To learn more about the 2025 TCR UK Touring Car Championship Calendar events, visit https://www.tcr-uk.co.uk/2025-calendar/ for more information.
