LADA SPORT ROSNEFT believes it can continue on an upward trend and potentially return to the podium in the FIA World Touring Car Championship’s (WTCC) Race of France at Circuit Paul Ricard (27-28 June).
The Russian manufacturer has emerged as the chief challenger to the pace-setting Citroens as it and its trio of drivers, Rob Huff, Jaap van Lagen and Nicky Catsburg, continue to get a handle on the new-for-2015 LADA Vesta TC1.
The Russian team, which put the all- new Vesta on the racetrack only four months ago, has achieved strong results en route to the mid-point of the WTCC season.
The bright yellow ROSNEFT-liveried cars have regularly populated the top six places in recent rounds and British racer Huff achieved LADA SPORT’s maiden podium finish of 2015 on the Togliatti-based team’s home turf at Moscow Raceway, before he and Dutch teammate van Lagen drove to fourth and sixth respectively in last weekend’s Race of Slovakia.
While the form is higher, so are the expectations and there’s a strong belief that it will be capable of repeating, or even improve on its previous performances as the WTCC nears the end of its European leg and LADA prepares for the road-going Vesta’s September launch.
Circuit Paul Ricard, located near the cliff-top village of Le Castellet in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, hosts the WTCC’s Race of France for the second consecutive year.
The 3.84km track, originally built in 1969, was the scene of a breakthrough fifth place result for Huff as LADA SPORT began is ascendency with its Granta TC1 in 2014, and the current crop of drivers all predict an even stronger showing this time around.
“I’m undoubtedly looking to improve on the recent successes and I honestly feel we’re gathering momentum and the LADA Vesta TC1 is coming together nicely,” said Huff. “We’re in a good position. The podium I achieved at Moscow Raceway was amazing and then to achieve the team’s best ever qualifying result by getting all three cars into the top ten was just as remarkable and there’s a huge desire to keep that rolling. Of course, I drove from outside of the top ten to fifth position at Circuit Paul Ricard last year and, while that was under very different circumstances and in difficult conditions, I think the track’s fast, flowing nature will suit our car and I really want to return to the winners’ rostrum in France!”
Catsburg added: “I have been in Paul Ricard many times before as I participated here in Blancpain Endurance Series and GT races. This is a really cool track and I think it will be good for the Vesta. There is a long straight which is probably not super good for us compared to Citroen, but we will do our best. I am really looking forward to the event, as the French fans are great and Circuit Paul Ricard always produces great races. The fans will have a good show!”
Van Lagen concluded: “I have raced at Circuit Paul Ricard on three occasions and my last visit was in 2006. The layout of the circuit is nice, but there are too many run-off areas. I think the track will be good for the LADA Vesta and, having contested so many races in France, I know the fans are really nice and always give a warm welcome to the drivers, so I am looking forward to racing here.”