James Hunt’s son Freddie to race in BTCC-supporting Clio Cup

The 27-year-old returned to racing last year after a short absence, contesting selected Formula Ford 1600 events before also taking part in the 2015 MRF Challenge.

Hunt tested for the Bubble & Kick Racing team, which is new to the Clio Cup, at Brands Hatch last month and has now agreed a deal to contest the full season.

"I'm extremely happy to be back racing again with a new challenge in the Clio Cup and a new team in BKR," said Hunt, who is also looking to take part in selected GT events this year, including the revived 24-hour race at Silverstone.

"Our test together at Brands Hatch went really well and we've kept talking since.

"I was very impressed by the Clio Cup race car as well and out of all the options I had this made perfect sense."

Hunt said this was a serious move to reignite his motorsport career, as he has aspirations of competing in either touring car or endurance racing in the future.

"The Clio Cup is the category to be in for drivers looking at careers in touring cars or indeed international sportscar competition - just look at all the names to have come out of the championship or from a background in single-model Renault racing to have successfully graduated to those categories," he added.

"It's no secret that I'd like to do either of those in the future so for me, right now, this is the place to be."

Hunt will be mentored this season by 2014 Clio champion Mike Bushell, who will graduate to the BTCC in an AmD Ford Focus.