Van Lagen in no-mans land with Lada

Jaap van Lagen is still hoping for good news from Lada regarding this year’s WTCC. The 33-year-old Dutchman is under contract with the Russian manufacturer, but less than a month before the season starts, and less than a week before the WTCC circus is shipped to Brazil, Van Lagen remains unsure about his season plans.

Speaking to the Dutch website RTL.nl, van Lagen has said that the Lada boardroom is divided on the benefits of racing in the WTCC.

“It delays the whole thing,” says van Lagen. “But I would certainly hope for good news. Lada has invested tremendously in recent years and they have a three-year contract with the WTCC organisation,” said the racer. “If they stop now, they will be sued.”

While under contract to Lada, the current stalemate over the coming season is affecting van Lagen’s chances of sealing another driver in the WTCC.

“There are talks with other teams, but all on a purely informative level. That’s all I can do because I’m contractually bound.

“Imagine, just once, I make a deal with another racing team and Lada still go on. Then I have two contracts – and a problem!”