LADA’s Rob Huff says his podium in the second World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) race in Moscow is “just the start of what we can achieve”, after the Brit took the first podium result for the LADA Vesta car.
Huff had been on the pace throughout the weekend, including topping second practice on Saturday. The Brit then went on to qualify in fourth position, securing LADA’s first-ever Q3 appearance in the series and their best ever qualifying result in the process.
With overtaking on the Moscow Raceway circuit being a challenge, Huff finished race one in the position he started as none of the top drivers changed position.
Things were different in an action-packed race two, with Huff gaining five positions from his grid slot to finish second and take his first podium of the season.
“The car was just fantastic, I was able to push hard and in the middle of the races we were so quick,” enthused Huff, who also posted the fastest lap in the second race. “I knew in race one that the Citroëns would be fast and after a good start I was on the tail of [Gabriele] Tarquini’s Honda. 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.”
Race two proved to be one of the most exciting of the season so far, and no other driver mae as much progress as Huff in the race.
“In my second race I knew that I could get the advantage over those immediately in front of me on the reverse grid and picked a line that put me past two or three cars and onto the Citroën of Ma,” explained Huff. “I dispatched him without too much trouble, and then my new teammate Nick Catsburg was helpful in letting me through 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.
“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.
“This is where our season starts now. The car is finally altogether, we made it stronger and you can see how fast we were today so now we’re moving forward.”