Plato will help BMR Subaru team-mate Sutton's 2017 BTCC title bid

Plato has struggled with the handling of his Levorg so far this season, while Sutton has found form and won races at Oulton Park and last time out at Croft.

Sutton is fourth in the title race, 20 points behind leader Team Dynamics Honda Civic Type R racer Gordon Shedden.

Plato, who scored his first podium of the season at Croft, is a lowly 15th in the standings.

"Ash has got a brilliant career ahead of him," said Plato.

"He's got natural ability and he's a racer, he's fast and he's a nice lad.

"He could possibly win it this year and I will do everything I can to help him achieve that.

"He's a real star of the future.

"He's found his sweet spot and he's enjoying it and driving brilliantly.

"Everything's rolling for him at the moment.

"It's just a shame I'm in a bit of a pickle because I want to be up there with him."

Plato was pleased with the upturn in pace from his Subaru at Croft, but says he still has further to go to get the most from it.

He admitted his poor pace and performance this year has hurt him mentally.

"I've never, ever in my whole career, not just in touring cars but since I was 12 years old, been uncompetitive, and I have been this year," he said.

"It's messed with my head if I'm honest because, until this weekend, I could not talk to the car.

"It was not part of me. I could not get it to do what I wanted - it was a stubborn understeering pig and no matter what we did to it we just could not deal with it.

"It's new territory for me and it's bloody horrible.

"I didn't want to be in the races, just merely circuiting round a track rather than being in the fight.

"It's been really horrible so hopefully we've seen the back of that period."

The BTCC has now paused for its summer break and resumes at Snetterton on July 29/30.

BTCC CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: