Lada shifts gears

Without being an ordeal, Lada's start to the season is not the most brilliant. The best result for a Lada 110 was Kirill Ladygin's eleventh place in Morocco, 33 seconds behind Larini (Chevrolet). But Russian cars are generally at the back of the pack, far from the Seat Leon TDi and the BMW 320si. But the fourth manufacturer in the WTCC does not despair and expects a lot from its Priora, which will race for the first time in Porto. Not yet on the track, it is however already penalized by the FIA, which imposes 40kg of ballast on it, in the same way as the BMW 320si.

Despite everything, Lada is moving forward step by step. And to improve its results, the team has recruited James Thompson, who will be present in Porto and for three other rounds of the championship. Engaged in the national touring championships in Great Britain and Denmark, he will replace Shapovalov and will compete in the WTCC also at Brands Hatch, Okayama and Macau. But Oschersleben and Imola will be missed, due to calendar incompatibility. In any case, it is with great hope that Lada is approaching this second part of the season, hoping to put the troubles aside with the arrival of the Priora. It will equip Thompson from Porto, Ladygin and van Lagen from Oschersleben in September. First elements of response from the Porto round, from July 4.