Photo: WTCC Media

James Thompson elated to score reverse pole on first outing for Lada Vesta

By

Two-time British Touring Car champion James Thompson starts tomorrow’s second race at Termas de Río Hondo from pole position in the brand new Lada Vesta, echoing the performance of team-mate Rob Huff from the Argentinian round last season, who qualified tenth and then went on to finish second in race two.

Thompson qualified in tenth position, while an engine misfire for Rob Huff meant the 2012 champion was unable to set a competitive time in Q2, despite setting the fastest time in Q1. Huff will therefore start both races from 11th on the grid, while Thompson was start race one from tenth, and then from pole in the second race.

“I am delighted to put the Lada Sport Rosneft Vesta on pole position on its debut,” said Thompson. “It will be a proud moment when we line up for the start in front of the world’s eyes. I lacked the outright pace in my car that was displayed in Huffy’s as we are still working on a variety of teething problems to be expected with a brand new racing car, but I am full of optimism for the races and season ahead based on what we have seen so far.”

Thompson’s last race victory was at the Imola round of the WTCC back in 2008 with the N.Technology Honda Accord, though he’s won races since in the FIA European Touring Car Cup with Hartmann Racing, though the pace of the Citroëns are still likely to be major threat in race two, also with the Chevrolet Cruzes of the experienced Tom Coronel and Stefano D’Aste starting immediately behind him.

Meanwhile, Rob Huff was disappointed after missing the chance to qualify well due to the technical blip in Q2.

“I haven’t felt this good about a race car I’ve driven since I won the WTCC World Championship (in 2012),” he said. “We clearly had the pace and the Lada Sport Rosneft team have done a truly excellent job to design build and deliver this machine for me to drive. We could have been at the very front for race 1 if luck had stayed with us but I know what we have for the future is a tremendous prospect and I will start to deliver on this promise in the races tomorrow.”