LADA’s Nicky Catsburg, who took his and LADA’s maiden pole position in the World Touring Car Championship at the Moscow Raceway, says he is ‘super happy’ with the result that saw the marque sweep the top three positions.
Dutchman Catsburg dominated the qualifying session in the wet, topping all three parts and ending up over one second clear of team-mate Gabriele Tarquini in the all-important Q3 shoot-out.
The pole is not only the first for Catsburg, but also the first for LADA in the WTCC, and it could not come at a more apt moment, with the race being the home event for both LADA and sponsor Rosneft.
“This shows the constant progress for the team and I could not be happier than to get this result in Russia,” said Catsburg. “Sometimes in the wet you have to get everything in line, tyre pressure, camber, etc., and I think we got everything right on my car today although I am surprised by the margin over our rivals.
“Actually we were not so quick in the wet in FP2 after being quick in the dry in FP1 but Gabriele gave me some advice on the car and set up and I translated that into this result, I am super happy today!”
Tarquini was pleased to have been part of the strong result, using his vast touring car experience to help Catsburg take pole position.
“I am very happy, I don’t know if I am a good teacher or Nicky is a good student but he beat me today in Qualifying!” added the Italian. “He deserves it – he made a fantastic lap. I am satisfied with our teamwork, we are like a family and we share everything. I am very proud of this and the team!”
Hugo Valente, driving the third Vesta WTCC, also praised the knowledge of Tarquini in helping the team to set the cars up in the wet. The Frenchman was ultimately almost 2.5 seconds off the pace in third.
“Thank you so much to the LADA Sport Rosneft team, it is amazing to be 1-2-3 and we made history today,” said Valente. “Thanks as well to Gabriele for his experience and sharing with us some ideas for driving the Vesta in the wet and congratulations to Nicky for pole position, he was on another planet today!”
The trio will line up in the top three positions for Sunday’s main race.