P1racenews AI automatic summary:
How BTCC king Sutton rates his rivals – past and present
Ash Sutton is considered one of the greatest drivers in the history of the British Touring Car Championship. He won his fourth title in 2023, becoming the first in BTCC history to achieve this feat in both rear and front-wheel-drive cars. He also matched Alain Menu’s record for most race wins in a season. Sutton’s career and the success of his team, Motorbase/Alliance, have been extensively covered and discussed.
One of Sutton’s main rivals in the championship is Tom Ingram, the 2022 champion. Despite some initial clashes on the track, there is a lot of respect between the two drivers. They have raced each other cleanly in recent seasons and have shown mutual respect for each other’s skills. They still engage in close racing and occasional nudges, but there is no intention to sabotage each other.
Sutton credits the changing atmosphere in touring cars since 2019 for the increased respect between drivers. The drivers’ group, which Sutton helped form, has also played a role in fostering better relationships among competitors. The group aims to address conflicts and improve the championship for everyone involved. They have successfully influenced rule changes that allow for more racing room and fairer competition.
Sutton has also observed Ingram’s unique driving style, especially when he was driving front-wheel-drive cars. While he initially questioned its effectiveness, Sutton admits that last year he wasn’t too far off from achieving a similar level of car control. Each driver has their own driving style, and Sutton acknowledges that Ingram’s style works well for him.
Overall, Sutton has a great deal of respect for his rivals in the BTCC and believes that the atmosphere and mutual respect among drivers have improved in recent years.
