Valente: I have to be even faster in the WTCC

Nicky Catsburg’s pace in FIA WTCC JVCKENWOOD Race of France last weekend has served as a wake-up call according to new LADA Sport Rosneft recruit Hugo Valente.

Valente, 23, is one of the FIA World Touring Car Championship’s brightest prospects and gets his first chance as a factory driver in 2016 after impressing as a privateer.

Catsburg, a works LADA pilot since the middle of last season, underlined his pace by making it through to the top-five Qualifying Q3 shootout at Circuit Paul Ricard.

Following his home WTCC event, Valente said: “I never got to drive last year’s Vesta, but it’s clear that the team has taken a big step over the winter. I have to step up my game because Nicky was very fast, but that’s a good challenge. I have been able to adapt my driving to the LADA Vesta as the weekend has progressed and that has helped in a lot of ways, so I’m encouraged for the rest of the season.”

Valente was set for a dream LADA debut when he landed the DHL-presented pole position for the reverse-grid Opening Race. However, he was unable to convert his top slot into a maiden WTCC victory.

“I was disappointed with the outcome of the Opening Race,” said the Frenchman. “I can’t pretend to be happy with fifth after starting from the front, but I can’t complain too much because we weren’t originally on the reversed-grid pole and we came away with solid points. I’m very happy with how the opening round has panned out.”