Hamilton, aged only 19, made his debut in the UK’s premier motor racing series last year, contesting the season’s final three rounds with TH.

Although the Civic Type R is an older BTC-spec car, he still believes it can enable him to make an impression in first full BTCC campaign.

Now turned 20, Hamilton, from Hemel Hempstead, said: “I cannot wait to get back on circuit. It’s been a very long hard winter and, as yet, I have not as much as sat in the car since the final round of 2009 at Brands Hatch.

‘I really think that the Civic has the potential to run consistent top tens, and occasional podiums. I know that I have to work hard on my driving; I still have very little experience of front-wheel-drive and touring cars in general, but I know that with more seat time I can threaten the front-runners.

“I know that TH will give me a great car to work with. They are already working hard at preparing the car and they have a few performance tweaks that I can’t wait to try.”

Humphrey clearly agrees with his young charge and added: “This is a great deal and everyone in the team cannot wait to get started. We saw real potential in Matt last year and it has given all the boys in the team a real boost to have a driver in the car with this sort of potential. I feel certain that we are going to pull off a few major shocks this year.”