Le Mans winner Nicolas Lapierre to test Lada Vesta at Paul Ricard

24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 class winner Nicolas Lapierre will become the latest driver to test a Lada Sport Rosneft Vesta TC1, when he joins the team’s current three drivers for a test following next weekend’s race at the Paul Ricard circuit.

Lapierre has been invited to the test the team’s Lada Vesta WTCC through the Russian marque’s technical partner ORECA, who have a longstanding relationship with the 31-year-old Frenchman through sports car racing.

Lapierre is a former factory Toyota driver in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and this year won the 24 Hours of Le Mans driving for KCMG in the LMP2 class, driving an ORECA Nissan in the famous endurance event.

Team principal Viktor Shapovalov confirmed that Lapierre is testing the car alongside current drivers Jaap van Lagen, Nicky Catsburg and Rob Huff following the race at Paul Ricard next week as the team works on improving the car.

WTCC manager Francois Ribeiro marked down Lada’s progress since last season as an example of how a manufacturer can turn around and take the fight to Citroën with the right development.

“Look at the progress that Lada is making,” said Ribeiro. “In one year, they’ve really come from a long, long way behind, and when you see the performance of the car you understand why I said a few races ago that car deserves three top drivers. I’m glad to see the performance of Jaap and Nicky. (When you see) who they’re testing, you see the ambition of the brand.”