Thompson gets set for WTCC street race with Portugal test

James Thompson revved up for the first FIA World Touring Car Championship street race of 2015 with a successful test in Portugal last week.

Thompson joined LADA Sport Rosneft team-mates Rob Huff and Mikhail Kozlovskiy at the Autódromo Internacional Algarve near Portimão to put the all-new LADA Vesta TC1 through its paces.

He said: “The very demanding nature of the track highlighted some areas of improvement, which is what testing is all about. We mainly tried to work on braking and traction as the next circuit, Marrakech, is all about braking and traction. From my perspective we made the car more drivable for me so overall I’m pleased. Many more laps would have been nice but the team worked tirelessly so you can’t ask for more.”

Eurodatacar WTCC Race of Morocco takes place from 17-19 April at the Circuit Moulay El Hassan, a temporary layout on the streets of Marrakech.