Andy Priaulx 'feels like a rookie' ahead of 2015 touring car return

Andy Priaulx was World Touring Car champion from 2005 to 2007

Triple World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx says he feels like a rookie as he prepares to return to the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).

The 40-year-old from Guernsey has not raced in the British series for 13 years but returns after spending 2014 racing in the United States.

"I'm saying to everybody that I'm a rookie, but an ambitious rookie," he told BBC Radio Guernsey.

"The rules have changed, the drivers have changed, so it's all new to me."

Priaulx won three World Touring car titles between 2005 and 2007 and spent two years in the German DTM Touring Car series in 2012 and 2013.

"There's a lot of interest in me returning, there's a huge following in British Touring Cars, it's a very popular formula," said Priaulx, who will drive a West Surrey Racing BMW in the weekend's first round at Brands Hatch.

"There's a lot of extra pressure on me having had such a successful career in Europe and being a world champion.

"I'll be disappointed if I'm not performing right at the sharp end and hopefully I can win the odd race this year and fight for the championship.

"I'm trying to stay really focused on the result and getting myself to the very top as quickly as possible," Priaulx said.