Tom Ingram: ‘I didn’t expect to be lining up on the front row’

Tom Ingram admitted that he ‘didn’t expect to be lining up on the front row’ in the British Touring Car Championship this weekend, let along secure pole position at Silverstone.

The EXCELR8 Motorsport driver inherited pole in Saturday’s wet qualifying session, after Power Maxed Racing’s Árón Taylor-Smith was excluded from the session for failing the post-race ride height check.

Ingram achieved the feat despite having the second-least amount of hybrid of anyone in the field, and was originally less than a tenth behind the Vauxhall before he was promoted in the order.

“I’m really pleased – I didn’t expect to be lining up on the front row this weekend, because obviously the hybrid deficit makes a substantial amount around here,” said Ingram to TouringCars.Net.

“The car felt really good in the wet. I am mindful that we’re in a good place but we’re probably out of position to the cars around us.

“If the forecast is as it says it will be, then we’re going to have three wet races and probably a speedboat would be the most efficient vehicle around here!

“I’d like it to either stay dry or stay wet. But I’m not fussed what it does.

“The hybrid is so strong around here, which is why I feel like we’re out of position in terms of our qualifying result, so that might mean that we’re vulnerable. We’ll see – I could be surprised!”

Ingram insisted he didn’t take any interest in where his closest title rivals Jake Hill or Ash Sutton had qualified.

“I’ve kept my head down. I’ve no idea where Jake or Ash have qualified, I don’t really care, because it doesn’t matter and we just focus on ourselves. As long as we do a good enough job, we’re fine. I’ll get my head down and do my own thing.

“I think we’re in a good shape and we’ll see what race day brings. A good steady day tomorrow, no drama, and just try to make sure we go to Brands GP in the mix.”

Ingram joked that perhaps he had always gone well at the Silverstone National circuit, with six previous wins along with a total of 14 podiums from 30 starts, due to the simple layout of the track.

“It’s always been a circuit I’ve quite enjoyed as well – I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because its simple and it’s only four corners, and I’m a simple guy. Maybe it’s the simplicity of this that works well for my simple brain!

“As long as we can carry on that form, we’ll be all good.”