Lada confirm split with Lukoil

Lada has confirmed a split with current title sponsor Lukoil ahead of the 2015 FIA World Touring Car Championship when it will be replaced by Russian state-owned oil company Rosneft.

An official statement read: ”AVTOVAZ expresses its gratitude to LUKOIL for years of success during a long-standing partnership. This co-operation brought many wins in the Russian Championship and a first ever LADA podium in the FIA World Touring Car Championship.”

The new contract with Rosneft extends over three years, starting next year, and will include both the WTCC and the Russian Touring Car Championship with Lada.

“I am a great supporter of our racing activities. Today AVTOVAZ focuses on competition on the world market and it focuses on teamwork, and racing is all about competition and teamwork. If we are successful in WTCC, it will help us to sell road cars to the public!” said Lada President Bo Andersson.

Current Lada drivers James Thompson and Rob Huff were present at the Moscow International Automobile Salon yesterday where the new contract was unveiled, as well as the first public appearance of the new Lada Vesta model in WTCC specification.