Gabriele Tarquini: “This win is for all the guys at Lada”

Gabriele Tarquini scored his second career win for Lada Sport at the Losail circuit, the first for the Vesta in dry conditions after the Russian manufacturer dominated at their home race in the rain earlier this year, adding that it was a shame that Lada head office has decided to call time on their WTCC programme.

“I want to give this fantastic victory to all the guys who work night and day,” said Tarquini. “Everybody knew just before this race that they’ve got to stop. I want to send to all the Lada people in Russia this picture of the last race. We have a great car, a great potential. The team has grown a lot and it’s really a shame they stop at this moment.

“I feel they’ve put all this experience and money they’ve spent during the last five years through the window, and this is not the way to do motorsport. Now we are closing the gap. We have a good car and a good team. It’s improving very, very high and it’s really a shame they stop.”

Tarquini’s win was also the 22nd of his career, and another statistical achievement. After setting the record for the oldest winner of an FIA championship race in Russia, Tarquini has extended that even further, with the Italian the oldest recorded winner of an FIA championship race at the age of 54 years, eight months and 21 days.