RACER: The unforgettable Silverstone ELMS press conference

The least popular driver at the end of the European Le Mans Series’ 4 Hour season opener at Silverstone happened to be one of the drivers who won the race. Greaves Racing’s Jon Lancaster completed the final stint for the team in the lead, but earned the position after knocking Tristan Gommendy's Thiriet by TDS Ligier from first place and trading paint with JOTA Sport’s Harry Tincknell, who incurred contact from Lancaster and was later driven off the track by the former GP2 competitor as he challenged for position.

Boos from the fans during the podium celebrations gave an insight into how the public felt about Lancaster’s tactics, and in the post-race press conference, Tincknell and Gommendy took wildly different routes to express their displeasure with the young Englishman.

If Tincknell chose the more understated method of calling Lancaster’s professionalism into question, Gommendy went the opposite direction by venting his frustration and admonishing Lancaster in the same breath. 

With anger, disappointment and visible tension in the room, it made for one of the most electric sports car press conferences in recent years, and won’t soon be forgotten – especially by Lancaster.