The LADA Sport team are making steady progress on their first season as a WTCC registered manufacturer.
Although the Russian cars are still struggling to be on the pace with the other works cars, the results achieved in Mexico proved that the team’s efforts are giving the first fruits.
"We had a lot of fun in Puebla, and showed our potential. It is clear that we still have some way to go, but we have clearly identified the main areas to be improved. We got three cars to the end of the second race, which was testament to our reliability, and gained a lot of useful information. We are now looking forward to Marrakech; the track is new to everybody and this can help a new team like ours," said team leader Viktor Shapovalov.
And Jaap van Lagen echoed: "Our car is basically good but we are lacking power on the straights, which is making the difference. The Mexican weekend was a very encouraging experience and we should have some improvements for Morocco, such as a new engine head."
The LADA cars of van Lagen and Ladygin on the Mexican banking
ZANARDI HAPPY WITH FIRST POINTS
BMW Team Italy-Spain’s Alessandro Zanardi scored his first points of the season in Mexico, coming home sixth in the Puebla’s second race.
The Italian driver’s car suffered from an alternator problem during the first race that resulted in a power steering failure in the last seven laps.
"To finish that race in ninth position was an outstanding result," team manager Roberto Ravaglia commented. "Alessandro put in an enormous physical effort, as he uses the steering wheel also to accelerate."
"Once more my team did something magic for me. In the 15 minutes of repair time between the races the boys managed to change the alternator, the exhaust, the bumper and more parts. They only forgot to adjust my mirrors. Giving them this result after what they did, is one of the highlights of my racing career, as I was able to compete with the other BMW cars. This gives us an amazing boost for Marrakech," said Zanardi.
Alessandro Zanardi scored first points in Puebla
CHEVROLET OFFER TEST TO IFM DRIVERS
Chevrolet have signed a partnership with International Formula Master to offer IFM drivers the chance to test a WTCC Chevrolet Cruze racing car.
The test session will see at least one of this year’s top IFM drivers awarded the chance to get behind the wheel of the 2009 WTCC Cruze WTCC.
"We are looking forward to seeing a Formula Master driver at the wheel of one of our cars", said Chevrolet Europe Motorsport Manager Eric Nève. "The Series is a strong part of our weekend, and we always keep an eye on how well its young drivers are doing. It will be good to see how one of them fares at the wheel of our world touring car. This partnership, which will give additional visibility to the new Cruze, fits perfectly with Chevrolet’s fresh and dynamic image".