Hynes returns in BTCC

Ex-British Formula 3 Champion Marc Hynes is returning to the cockpit in this year’s British Touring Car Championship, after five years away.

The 35-year-old, who has a driver development role at the Marussia Formula 1 team, will race an MG for Triple Eight Engineering in the 2014 BTCC, his first events since Aussie V8 Supercar enduros in 2008. He says he was motivated to return by the prospect of losing his competition licence.

“I was told I would have to go back to a racing school and do an ARDS test if I didn’t get my licence again,” he said. “The TV coverage sold me on the BTCC and Triple Eight [with whom he raced in V8 Supercars in 2008] was naturally my first port of call.

“I visited a few races last year and started to put a budget together.”

Hynes explained that he would continue to work with Marussia, despite six clashes between the BTCC and F1 calendars, but stressed that he was back driving for the long haul.

“I’m not in this for a one-year jolly,” he said. “I want to get on the pace, win races and then take the championship.”