LADA drivers Nicky Catsburg and Nicolas Lapierre say that they are expecting the Chang International Circuit in Buriram to suit their Vesta World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) cars this weekend.
The circuit in Thailand hosts the penultimate round of the season, where LADAs drivers will be looking to build on some strong results already posted in 2015.
Rob Huff and Catsburg, in particular, have both cracked Q3 on a number of occasions during 2015, and Catsburg believes that such feats could be continued this weekend, where the Dutchman believes the track will suit the team’s car.
“This will be my first time in Thailand and I am very much looking forward to it,” said Catsburg, who is the only one of the team’s three drivers never to have holidayed in the country before. “I think it will be very hot, which will be a challenge for all of us drivers, but I think the track will be good for the LADA Vesta, as it seems quite fast and we are usually strong in those areas. Also, the circuit provides plenty of overtaking possibilities.
“I think the middle sector will be where the LADA is strong compared to the other cars. I have done some simulator practice to prepare for this event. After a relatively good performance in Shanghai, I am really looking forward to this event.”
Huff, meanwhile, is looking to make further progress up the championship standings, having moved up to ninth last time out in Shanghai. The Brit is just six points behind Hugo Valente in eighth and could potentially move further up the championship order with a strong weekend.
“It seems like an age since we were in Shanghai for the last round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, so I’m really keen to get back behind the wheel of my LADA Vesta,” said Huff. “I, like a number of the drivers, have used the break to take some holiday time in Thailand before the race.
“It’s a beautiful country and Buriram looks like a great new facility, with some technical and other very fast sections, so it should make for a great challenge for me and the Vesta.”
Whilst WTCC newcomer Lapierre has not yet had much of a chance to crack Q3, the Frenchman is optimistic that the circuit will suit the car so he can improve on his current best result of eighth, scored in his first race WTCC weekend in Japan.
“I’ve been to Thailand a couple of times, but for holidays… this time is a different story,” added Lapierre. “The Buriram racetrack looks really fast and challenging. I have watched many on-boards and I can’t wait to drive my LADA Vesta there.
“I expect there to be a lot of overtaking thanks to the long straight line and I’m pretty sure the circuit will suit the Vesta, so I’m really looking forward to the weekend.”