Photo: WTCC Media

Lada celebrate first podium for the new Vesta at home

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Rob Huff took the best results of the season for the Lada Sport Rosneft Vesta WTCC at the Moscow Raceway, with fourth in race one, followed up with a podium in race two from seventh on the grid, while team-mates Jaap van Lagen and Nicky Catsburg also picked up points for the team.

Huff also set the fastest lap in race two as he chased Honda’s Tiago Monteiro for the victory but to no avail.

“The car was just fantastic,” said Huff.” I was able to push hard and in the middle of the races we were so quick. I knew in Race 1 that the Citroëns would be fast and after a good start I was on the tail of Tarquini’s Honda but he was very difficult to pass but the Citroëns in front were not disappearing and if we had not been held up behind the Honda I think we could have challenged them today.”

“My new teammate Nick Catsburg was helpful in letting me through (in race two) to challenge the leaders. I had a great run on ‘Norbi’ (Michelisz) and was committed to get through and chase down Tiago Monteiro ahead although we ran out of laps , but today I don’t think it would have been any different if we had won. Everybody here recognized the achievement we have made here in Moscow and that this is just the start of what we can achieve with this team and car.”

Nicky Catsburg made his WTCC debut this weekend after a late call-up last week to replace Mikhail Kozlovskiy, and qualified ninth, ensuring a front-row starting position for race two which he converted into fourth, scoring his first WTCC points.

“It was lovely to work with this team at the home race this weekend,” said Catsburg. “Everybody was so friendly and helpful and I really enjoyed it. No doubt I have a lot to learn about these cars and this style of racing but I should be pleased with my results.”

Team principal Viktor Shapovalov added:
“This result was expected for us as we knew from the start of the project with Vesta, that this car has a huge potential. Now we have to believe anything is possible for this car and team, we are fast and the car is strong and getting better and better every race.”