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Lada Sport Rosneft hopes to find more speed in WTCC Race of China

LADA SPORT ROSNEFT is determined to re-establish itself as a frontrunner as the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) takes a trip to the Shanghai International Circuit (SIC) in China (24-25 September).

That LADA SPORT and drivers Nicky Catsburg, Gabriele Tarquini and Hugo Valente were underwhelmed by points finishes in the latest instalment of the WTCC in Japan is telling of the team's ambitions.

The LADA SPORT trophy cabinet is brimming with silverware accumulated during the first half of the 2016 season, but top three results have eluded the Russian manufacturer squad since the resumption of racing in Argentina and Japan following the summer break.

The WTCC continues its tour of the Far East with the Race of China at the Shanghai International Circuit, which is characterised by its long back straight and tight hairpin that helps to guarantee great overtaking action.

LADA SPORT hopes to rekindle its early season success at the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix venue, where Catsburg notably achieved a season's best third in qualifying before racing to fourth, as Tarquini battled to second in 2015.

The LADA Vesta TC1s will be the lightest they have been for some time in Shanghai. Following a sensational one-two result in Russia, the ROSNEFT-liveried cars were saddled with as much as 70kgs of success ballast, but some weight has been lifted and spirits are high ahead of the WTCC's annual visit to China.

Catsburg said: "I like the Shanghai International Circuit very much. Last year I had one of my best qualifying results there - I was third in qualifying and then raced to P4 in the race - but it's a great track for racing thanks to a massively long straight and a really big braking zone where you can gain or lose a lot of time and also a lot of positions.
"The weight of our car was a little bit biased by what happened in Russia, where we won, but, having gone down quite a lot we should be able to fight for podiums again. I'm seventh in the championship and I'm still pretty close to the top five. That's the target."

Tarquini, who finished second in Race 2 in 2015, said: "The Shanghai International Circuit is good for us, as the LADA Vesta has improved a lot in terms of traction and this is a track where traction and speed are very important. We must concentrate on qualifying, as the starting positions mean a lot. In terms of speed, this track is similar to Monza. I really like fast circuits that give opportunities for the drivers to push their cars to the maximum."

Valente added: "Shanghai International Circuit is one of the best on the WTCC calendar for its layout and infrastructure. We expect much better performances there with less ballast on-board our LADA Vestas, and that's the positive thing. I'm really looking forward to this race!"