Ash Sutton etched his name deeper into British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone by becoming the series’ first five-time champion, adding a landmark achievement to a career that has already redefined modern touring car success.

For much of the season, the title outcome looked increasingly inevitable, but Sutton was determined that the championship would be won in a manner befitting the occasion.

The NAPA Racing UK star had at one stage looked likely to secure the title in race one when he was running in 11th, before he dropped back behind Chris Smiley to finish in 12th and delay the formalities until the next race.

There, Sutton delivered a masterclass, with the soft tyre on his car and full allocation of TOCA Turbo Boost [TTB], he went on to claim his ninth win of the season in dominant fashion.

Speaking to media after sealing the crown, Sutton revealed there had been a conscious desire within the team to secure the title in style rather than simply accumulating enough points.

“We spoke openly between the team that we wanted to try and do it in a style that fitted,” Sutton explained. “It was nice to actually go about winning the championship in race two with the soft tyre, full deployment [of TTB], and with the reins let loose.”

It was a moment which kept Team Owner Pete Osborne waiting, as he joked that he hadn’t been in on the plan and had been put through the wringer.

“He was playing with us a little bit; Ash, his engineer [Tony Carrozza] and his data engineer, Tom [Powell] were having me on that they were going to make me wait till race two.

“When he got to the end of race one, I said, ‘what are you doing to me? I’ve got no nerves left!’

“They said they wanted to do it in style. That was Ash at his best and that was Ash as we know him – that’s why we love coming and watching him. To watch that was just phenomenal.”

That approach captured the essence of Sutton’s championship-winning campaign. Rather than adopting a conservative mindset, the 32-year-old remained true to the attacking style that has helped him accumulate 56 BTCC race victories and five titles since making his series début in 2016.

Sutton’s title success completed a remarkable day for NAPA Racing UK, with the team securing the drivers’, manufacturers’ and teams’ championships.

“It’s a bit surreal, if I’m being honest with you,” Osborne told TouringCars.Net. “This morning I woke up and I realised that being part of Ash’s fifth title and being part of history was pretty special.

“To be able to clinch the drivers, the manufacturers, and the team’s championship all in one go… to get four championships in one day is just pretty mega. I’m lost for words if I’m being honest with you.”

“The first one is special,” he said. “But the fifth for sure is the one that sits above them all.”

The title is validation for the work carried out behind the scenes at NAPA Racing UK. Osborne revealed that thoughts had already turned to defending their crowns almost immediately after securing them.

“We’ve already started development [for 2027],” said Osborne. “We’re already looking at that. We’re going away already looking at what we can do for next year.”

“On Friday night, the boys had me going through the costs for next year and looking at what we can do and where we can improve.

“It’s a tough paddock – we’re up against a lot of really, really good teams, and for us we just need to keep pushing. We’re already looking at what we can do for next year.”

Interestingly, the newly crowned champion stopped short of confirming his future when pressed by TouringCars.Net. “The first thing is whether I’m back or not,” said Sutton. “That’s not confirmed – the end of contract is this year.”

If he does continue, Sutton already knows the next target. “The big 97 wins of Jason is the target, or would be the target,” he said, referencing BTCC legend Jason Plato’s all-time victories record.

Sutton also hinted that opportunities beyond touring cars remain a possibility, adding: “I’ve gone off and done some GT racing as well. So, we’ll wait and see what’s going on there.”

The immediate focus now shifts to the Brands Hatch finale, where celebration rather than championship pressure will dominate the agenda.

Sutton expects to support team-mate Dan Cammish in the battle for championship runner-up honours while enjoying a weekend that marks the culmination of a historic campaign.

“I’m going to fall into a role of a wingman for DanCam,” continued Sutton. “He’s done it for me over the years, so it feels right and fitting to obviously repay that favour if we’re in a position too.

“I’m going to go there with no pressure. I’ll just go and enjoy it and roll on Sunday night!”

For now, though, the future can wait. Sutton has reached a place no BTCC driver has ever reached before. Five championships, a place in history, and a legacy that continues to grow.

Whether he returns to chase more records or explores new challenges elsewhere, 2026 will be remembered as the year Ash Sutton stood alone at the summit of British touring car racing.