British Touring Car Championship star Jake Hill is set to remain with West Surrey Racing next season after narrowly missing out on his maiden title at the weekend.

The 28-year-old, from Platt's Heath near Maidstone, enjoyed his best-ever campaign in the series, taking his BMW 330e to three victories and 10 other podiums.

His eye-catching season impressed legendary BTCC team boss Dick Bennetts, who saw his man lose out to new champion Tom Ingram and runner-up Ash Sutton in Sunday's finale at Brands Hatch.

"Jake has done a fantastic job – he's fitted in well and the car has been reliable for him," the New Zealander said.

"We had to calm him down a bit as he was a bit too aggressive early in the year, but we'd love to have him back.

"I don't get involved in the commercial side, I'm on the technical side, but it's all shaping up very well. I like Jake – he's a good little bloke."

Bennetts, who has taken Hill's team-mate Colin Turkington to his four BTCC crowns, feels his young charger has what it takes to become champion.

"You need four ingredients to win a championship: a good car, a good engine, a good team and a good driver," he said.

"You can drop one of those and still win the occasional race, but you won't win a championship unless you've got all four.

"We have got all of those so the ingredients are there."

After qualifying fifth, Hill got the better of Sutton to claim third in Sunday's first race before chasing Ingram to the flag in the second encounter.

His seventh-place finish in the finale meant he ended the season one point shy of Sutton in the overall standings, with his former Ginetta rival Ingram 13 points ahead.

"I am extremely proud of what we've achieved, especially in the second half of the season," Hill said.

"We have got a lot to be thankful for and proud of and I think we'll come back next year and smash it.

"I am proud of myself and I hold my head up high."

Hill, who won the Goodyear Wingfoot Award as the year's best qualifier, feels the two-day tyre test at Snetterton in July was the turning point of his campaign.

"I figured out what I was struggling with in the first half and we were rapid after that," he said.

"I've tried my hardest to stop being as aggressive as I was in the first half of the year.

"I could've shown Ingram the door a few times and pushed him out of the way, but I don't want to win a championship like that or take it away from him that way.

"We are here to race hard and fair and not be horrible to one another."

Hill's dad, former racer-turned-commentator Simon, feels his son is "only getting stronger".

"It's been a massive step up for Jake and to finish ahead in the points of Colin Turkington – a four-time champion – is impressive," the Goudhurst resident said.

"It's been a brilliant environment on and off track and hopefully the deal will be done to get him back in the car next year.

"That's the plan – just to come back and try to go that little bit further."

In the support categories, Maidstone's Kiern Jewiss wrapped the Porsche Carrera Cup GB title on Sunday, taking a win and second-place finish in the two races.

Hythe's Tom Emson also impressed, winning twice in the Ginetta GT4 Supercup to secure second in the standings.

The British Touring Car Championship will visit Brands Hatch on May 6-7 and October 7-8 2023.