LADA SPORT ROSNEFT will be looking to ride a wave of momentum into China for the FIA World Touring Car Championship’s visit to the Shanghai International Circuit (25-27 September), after 2012 Champion, Rob Huff, recorded another podium finish last time out in Japan.
Huff started the second of two races at Japan’s Twin Ring Motegi circuit in 13th position, but made an immediate impact, methodically scything his way through the field and concluding the 13-lap contest in an impressive third position.
The WTCC’s Race of China, held under the patronage of Russian oil giant and LADA SPORT’s title sponsor, Rosneft, will once again be held at the home of the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, the Shanghai International Circuit (SIC).
Built in 2004, the SIC hosts a number of high-profile motor racing championships, including F1, Moto GP, the FIA World Endurance Championship and the WTCC and its long and technical configuration is dominated by a 1170m straight, which demands efficient aerodynamics and high top speed capabilities.
In contrast, an abundance of mid-speed turns places the emphasis on downforce and stability and a tricky first corner combination, with its blind apex, is a stern test of a driver’s skill and professionalism.
The SIC hosts the WTCC’s Race of China for a fourth consecutive year and Rob Huff said: “After the success of Japan I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of my LADA Vesta at the Shanghai International Circuit. The Formula 1 track is all about power and aerodynamics with its long straights, so I hope we will be better placed than with the LADA Granta last year. I have a lot of friends in China and know a lot of the local racers, and I always look forward to this weekend.”
Nicolas Lapierre, who joined LADA SPORT ROSNEFT and opened his WTCC account with points in Japan, is eager to get back behind the wheel of his LADA Vesta and, having visited the SIC on numerous occasions, the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans winner is hoping for further improvements in his results.
“I have been to Shanghai many times; I love this track and it’s very difficult to find a good compromise with the car’s setup to make it both fast in the quick corners and in the long acceleration zones, but also in the lower speed turns,” said Lapierre. “After the WTCC’s Race of Japan, where I finished eighth and scored some points, I naturally hope to improve on this result in China.”
Nick Catsburg added: “I have raced in China before, but never at the Shanghai International Circuit. The track looks amazing! I spent some time in Beijing between races and I must say it was very enjoyable. I have visited some of the impressive landmarks, which were really cool.”
Meanwhile, the WTCC Rosneft Race of China coincides with another milestone for the LADA SPORT team, as the LADA Vesta road car, which marks a huge step forward in the development of LADA’s model range, goes into production in Russia on 25 September.
The FIA World Touring Car Championship Rosneft Race of China will be broadcast LIVE on Eurosport on Sunday 27 Sep at 8.30 and 9.30 (CET), as well as via a live stream on the official www.fiawtcc.com website.