![Tom Ingram, Team Vertu [EXCELR8 Motorsport], Hyundai i30 N Fastback NGTC and Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK [Alliance Racing], Ford Focus ST NGTC](https://www.touringcars.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Tom-Ingram-Ash-Sutton.jpg "Photo: Pat Cranham")
Tom Ingram was relaxed after qualifying in seventh for the opening British Touring Car Championship race at Brands Hatch, describing his championship position as ‘cushty’.
The Team Vertu driver was just 0.126 seconds off the fastest lap time in Q2 on Saturday, despite having the least TOCA Turbo Boost of any driver in the field thanks to leading the points.
Ingram also out-qualified his only realistic title rival Ash Sutton, who will line up in 11th for the opening race, leaving him feeling particularly relaxed ahead of the finale.
“Qualifying was good – it’s super, super tight,” said Ingram to TouringCars.Net. “I think we’re about a tenth and a half off the overall pole, which I’m fine with.
“We’ve [effectively] done the same lap time as the guys back to about ninth, it’s incredibly close.
“I’m very pleased to be where we are. We’ve out-qualified Ash, which is good and we’re seventh and he’s eleventh. It’s a nice place to be for tomorrow.
“I think we could have found a little bit more [pace], but realistically I don’t think we could have challenged for pole with the pace that those guys had.
“Everything is cushty. We’ll be fine for race day. I’m literally not thinking about points. I couldn’t be looking at the points any less if I tried – it will be what it will be.”