Jaap van Lagen will start the second World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) race at Circuit Paul Ricard from the front of the grid, after the Dutchman posted the ninth fastest lap in his LADA Vesta in qualifying.
After the highs of the previous two events, where LADA got at least one car into the final Q3 segment in qualifying, only Van Lagen could make it into the top ten in France.
Qualifying with the ninth fastest time gives Van Lagen second on the grid for race two, where Sébastien Loeb Racing’s Mehdi Bennani will start from pole position. The Dutchman also started from the front row last time out in Slovakia, but a poor start saw him drop out of the top five before the end of the first lap, something the Dutchman is keen to avoid at Le Castellet.
“We are bit further back than we were in Moscow and Slovakia but with the reverse grid it gives us a chance,” said Van Lagen. “Hopefully I will get a better start from P2 than I did from P1 in Slovakia and get a podium for myself and the LADA Sport Rosneft Team.”
With all three LADA drivers having propped up the timesheets in second practice, LADA Sport boss Viktor Shapovalov was particularly relived with Van Lagen’s efforts in qualifying.
“That was something of a recovery situation,” said Shapovalov. “Jaap on the front row gives us a good chance in race two for a result that maybe wasn’t expected after practice.”
Fellow Dutchman Nicky Catsburg was the team’s second best qualifier in France, securing himself 12th on the grid for both of Sunday’s races, although the WTCC rookie felt he could have gone better but for an ill-timed scrutineering call in Q2.
“I am really frustrated that I had to make a weigh check in the middle of the Q2 session,” said Catsburg. “The moment I was called was obvious that would be the end of my qualifying and the chances for making top ten. That is sad.
“I am also annoyed with myself for not getting the job done on my first lap. However, I am very happy for Jaap but I should have been up there with him.”
Brit Rob Huff could only manage 16th on the 18-car grid after his left-rear suspension gave way in Q1, which sent him into a huge slide mid-corner half-way through the session.
“Looking back I think that whatever happened at the back of the car that pitched me off was developing in practice,” explained Huff. “We made some changes but I couldn’t see any effects from them.
“I’ve got a bit of a job on my hands from near the back for both races but I love a challenge and the boys will get the car back together for me to do the best job I can for the team.”