P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Osamu Kawashima is eyeing Ricky Collard’s Team VERTU seat, after the British Touring Car Championship squad handed him the reserve driver post.
Osamu Kawashima is eyeing Ricky Collard’s Team VERTU seat in the British Touring Car Championship after being named the reserve driver for the squad. Kawashima’s racing career includes participation in the Ginetta GT5 series in 2014 and finishing second in the Ginetta GT4 amateur ranks in the following year with five wins. Despite a sparse racing history since then, he tested with Speedworks at Donington Park in 2016 and expressed a desire to popularize the championship in Japan. Now, as the EXCELR8 Motorsport Reserve Driver, Kawashima is working towards race participation in the 2026 BTCC season and exploring broader Japan-UK motorsport opportunities. His potential entry into the series could come at the expense of Collard, who, despite impressive results early in the season, may struggle to secure the funding for a full campaign. Collard’s strong performances have already positioned him as a frontrunner in 2026, with expectations high for his first victory in the series.
