Debut for Lada Sport Rosneft at the iconic Nordschleife in Race of Germany

On the world's most challenging and iconic motor racing circuit, where the world's leading and most exotic of motor manufacturers come to prove and test their vehicles to the limits and beyond, Lada, the Russian car manufacturer fielded its new Vesta model in the historic FIA WTCC racing debut at the Nurburgring.

The sight of the two Rosneft supported Lada Sport cars against such a picturesque and challenging backdrop was a sensational sight and through the mornings free practice sessions the moment was enhanced by the result of P1 and P2 on the timesheets for the team's drivers Rob Huff and Jaap Van Lagen, who was returning to race for the team.

...something has happened that we need to investigate as it has stopped both cars...

Victor Shapavalov

Heading into the afternoons qualifying session that was to be held over a single one hour session, the team were optimistic of good results and Huff posted an early lap time which supported the optimism. Van Lagen on the other hand was less fortunate when sidelined on his out lap, returning slowly to the pits but unable to continue with the session.

Huff meanwhile took to the track for a second time and was posting fastest sectors that looked good enough for a spot towards the top of the timesheets only to be thwarted by a mechanical issue in the fourth sector of the 13km long lap forcing the Englishman to stop trackside.

Team Principle Victor Shapavalov commented on the early exit of the cars from qualifying “We were clearly very fast which is greatly encouraging, something has happened that we need to investigate as it has stopped both cars, we will work through the night to understand and resolve this problem”.

Despite the shortened session Huff will line up 13th and Van Lagen who failed to set a time in 17th for tomorrows two three-lap races.

Lada Sport Rosneft