The FIA World Touring Car Championship will continue to deliver plenty of on-track action next season.
Speaking following LADA’s presentation at the Russian Motorsport Forum today, which included details of its realigned motorsport strategy, François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events, the WTCC promoter, said he had high hopes of a “very open” campaign in 2017.
“Manufacturers will always come and go in motorsport and the current period is definitely not an easy one for world championships in which car manufacturers are directly involved as factory teams,” said Ribeiro.
“Even though LADA’s domestic market share is holding up with a new range of products, the Russian automotive market has declined by 50 per cent over the last two years. The WTCC has certainly helped LADA to transform its image and positioning and we wish to thank them for their long-term support of the championship.
“Eurosport Events and the FIA are working intensively together on the future of the touring car category. LADA realigning its domestic motorsport activities won’t affect our motivation to deliver a great 2017 season which should be very open.”