Gabriele Tarquini excited ahead of fresh challenge with Lada

Recently announced as Lada Sport Rosneft’s new driver along with Hugo Valente and Nicky Catsburg, Gabriele Tarquini has already spent some time at the wheel of the Russian car in Magny-Cours.

The former World Champion is eager to face this new challenge after his long-term link with Honda was put to an end last year: “I’m very pleased to have started working with Lada Sport Rosneft and I am excited about facing a new challenge in 2016”, said the Italian. “Honestly, the new Lada Vesta surprised me in the first race of 2015 in Argentina and I think the potential is very high. In January, I spent some time testing last year’s car and developing some new software at Magny-Cours. It was wet and only consisted of out and in-laps, but I made some set-up changes and felt a difference.”

Besides the excitement for the new challenge, Tarquini is aware he needs more track time with the Vesta before he can start giving his contribution to the project: “I can say that the car is very sensitive and there is a lot of potential, but I need more time and miles behind the wheel so I can use my experience to try and improve the car – particularly its speed out of slow corners and driveability.”

The Italian also talked about the new calendar of the series, and is particularly keen on going back to Thailand after a successful first visit in 2015: “I like going back to every circuit on the calendar, but I’m especially looking forward to revisiting Thailand. The Chang International Circuit is very nice to drive, with extremely fast corners and challenging braking points, and I like the people and the atmosphere they create, with a stadium section close to the track!”