Photo: WTCC Media

Mixed fortunes for Lada Sport in Shanghai

Lada Sport did not enjoy an easy weekend in Shanghai, after taking their maiden win in the championship last week in Beijing. The team collected a point in Race 2, after Sébastien Loeb was penalized for a contact with Citroën team-mate Yvan Muller, which promoted James Thompson to tenth.

Race 1 saw the Brit retire, as well as team-mate Mikhail Kozlovskiy, both drivers stopped by technical issues. Rob Huff had been running in the top ten until the 2012 World Champion made contact with Dusan Borkovic, which ended his race prematurely as well.

During the second race of the day, Huff made contact with a Chevrolet again, with Gianni Morbidelli tapping his rear. Thompson saved the Russian manufacturer’s day by claiming tenth after a close battle with Campos Racing duo Hugo Valente – Dusan Borkovic. The Brit came eleventh on track, but was promoted into the points after Loeb was penalized for his contact with Yvan Muller.

Thompson says he could have passed his Chevrolet rivals had he had an extra lap:“I just needed one more lap and I’m sure I would have passed both Hugo Valente and Dusan Borkoic but, from the back of the grid, I am happy with where I finished in race two.”

Team boss Victor Shapovalov was philosophical about the issues experienced by the team:”We can accept this mixed fortune from this weekend after Beijing. James (Thompson) drove really well and the team did some great work, so I am happy with that.”

The team will now head back to Russia to prepare ahead of the Race of Japan on October, 26th.