The NAPA Racing UK driver, Sam Osborne, has officially announced his retirement from the British Touring Car Championship following eight competitive seasons. The announcement came ahead of Saturday's Free Practice session at the Brands Hatch GP finale, closely following a similar retirement announcement made by his teammate.
This major decision arrives just a day after Tom Chilton confirmed he would also step away from the championship, signaling a transitional period for the squad. Osborne originally joined the grid back in 2019 aboard Excelr8’s MG 6, successfully stepping up to the premier series after spending two competitive years cutting his teeth in the Renault Clio Cup.
Throughout his career in the championship, the British driver experienced various machinery changes. After his initial stint, he switched to MB Motorsport’s Honda Civic in 2020, where he claimed his first two career top-10 finishes before making a move to Alliance Racing in 2021, a home he would keep for the remainder of his touring car journey.
His personal best Drivers’ Championship finish was secured in 2024 with a 15th place overall, while his crowning achievement came when he claimed his maiden series victory during Race 3 at Silverstone in 2025. Sitting 18th in the standings heading into the finale, the weekend offered one final chance to finish on a high note.
Reflecting on his time in the championship, Osborne admitted the journey has been fulfilling. "We’ve come a fairly long way since we first rocked up, so it’s a bit of a journey," he expressed, looking back at his development from a newcomer to a race winner in the ultra-competitive paddock.
Recalling his breakthrough victory at Silverstone, he revealed the immense pressure he felt throughout the race distance. "I was nervous all the way through, until Cook made a mistake at Luffield. All of a sudden I saw that gap and I was like, yeah we’ve got this," he detailed regarding the decisive overtaking maneuver.
That specific win served as a massive confidence booster for the team. "That told us we can actually do it, we can actually fight with these guys and get a good result at the end of it," he added, validating years of hard work in the touring car championship.
However, shifting priorities outside the cockpit ultimately dictated his future path. "But, there’s a lot going on at the moment. I'm a dad-to-be," he concluded, though he humorously admitted he might struggle to stay entirely away from the motorsport paddock in the long run.
Before turning the page to fatherhood, he made sure to thank the personnel who supported his racing efforts. "Thank you to all the guys and girls who put in the time and effort, they’ve all done a mega job," Osborne said in appreciation of his team.
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