[furious1]

http://en.espnf1.com/renault/motorsport/story/9950.html

Probably the manufacturer least likely to be associated with Formula One, Russian car maker Lada, has announced it will be sponsoring the Renault F1 team for 2010....

...The announcement, made by Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin, is linked to the signing of Vitaly Petrov as the countries first F1 driver. Putin said Renault's signing of Petrov, is a "great symbol of cooperation" between the French marque and Russia....
.

...In 2008 Renault bought a 25% stake in Lada's parent company Avtovaz for US$1 billion....

[Vulkanevsel]

Short of winning the WCC, they will never live this down...

[arindiruppya]

I can see a thread on Lada jokes appearing very soon..

[irrelaAnnekly]

This is just plain embarrassing. Lada's got probably the most terrible image of all the automakers. We used to have Ladas over here and we've got plenty of jokes, it's just that they don't translate into English that easily since the language is so different.

[arindiruppya]

This is just plain embarrassing. Lada's got probably the most terrible image of all the automakers. We used to have Ladas over here and we've got plenty of jokes, it's just that they don't translate into English that easily since the language is so different.

I know there were companies over here that were willing to buy Lada's for a very good price and then export them back to Russia. Every Lada owner in the UK must have taken up this offer because I haven't seen one over here for about 5 years or so. I would assume a similar scheme was offered in Finland..

Why does a Lada have a heated rear screen?
A: So you can keep your hands warm when you are pushing it..

Whats on the last page of a Lada owners manual?
A: The bus schedule..

There's millions..

[Eagevawax]

Maybe next year with a bit more of Putin's money it will be the Lada F1 team

[Uzezqelj]

Well, this has made my day

[Mymnnarry]

Personally I think we should be celebrating Lada arrival - seriously! Here is a company, the butt of many (justified) jokes over the years, that is trying to build a new image for themselves and they have chosen motorsport to do it.

Their WTCC team hardly set the world on fire, but it did score points IIRC in an improving car in 2009.

There is a great, untapped, market for F1 in Russia so perhaps now, with a Russian Driver and a Russian auto maker already onboard we could see the long rumored Russian GP finally materialise.

[Xavier_Spinner_Wheels]

Here's a picture of the car with Lada branding - it still looks like an old Jordan!



http://adamcooperf1.com/2010/03/04/r...rms-lada-deal/

[9wQlZkIj]

Personally I think we should be celebrating Lada arrival - seriously! Here is a company, the butt of many (justified) jokes over the years, that is trying to build a new image for themselves and they have chosen motorsport to do it.

Their WTCC team hardly set the world on fire, but it did score points IIRC in an improving car in 2009.

There is a great, untapped, market for F1 in Russia so perhaps now, with a Russian Driver and a Russian auto maker already onboard we could see the long rumored Russian GP finally materialise.

Good point, when I was a kid Skoda would always be mentioned in the same breath as Lada when me and my primary school friends would make fun of crappy cars that we saw. Then they started doing well at rallying... now they're quite a respectable brand (although their recent reputation as basically being rebadged VWs may have had something to do with it as well)

I also gather that Subarus were seen as basically slow lumbering farm vehicles until the Legacy and Impreza rally programmes?

If Lada want to boost their image through motorsport and have the means to do so, then good luck to them.

BUT - something doesn't sit right with me about a car manufacturer backing another car manufacturer's racing team. Same reason I don't like GP2 and the scores of Mercedes and Toyota backed drivers that have competed in Renault-powered cars.

Still, Renault seem in dire need of funding and if this brings some, then that can only be a positive I guess.

[Mymnnarry]

Good point, when I was a kid Skoda would always be mentioned in the same breath as Lada when me and my primary school friends would make fun of crappy cars that we saw. Then they started doing well at rallying... now they're quite a respectable brand (although their recent reputation as basically being rebadged VWs may have had something to do with it as well)

I also gather that Subarus were seen as basically slow lumbering farm vehicles until the Legacy and Impreza rally programmes?

If Lada want to boost their image through motorsport and have the means to do so, then good luck to them.

BUT - something doesn't sit right with me about a car manufacturer backing another car manufacturer's racing team. Same reason I don't like GP2 and the scores of Mercedes and Toyota backed drivers that have competed in Renault-powered cars.

Still, Renault seem in dire need of funding and if this brings some, then that can only be a positive I guess.

I know what you mean with the last point. I still think its weird to see Rossi on a Yamaha sponsored by Fiat.

[prpaims]

I've wanted a Lada for years, always struck me as good RWD fun.

[Vulkanevsel]

Is it just me, or have they stuck that logo in just about the least prominent place they could find?

[9wQlZkIj]

Is it just me, or have they stuck that logo in just about the least prominent place they could find?

Nah, "Virgin" stuck Manor's logo in an even less prominent place.

[kasandrasikl]

How do you double the value of a Lada ? fill it with petrol !

[Quonuttott]

In Renault F1 team, driver not drive car, car drive itself!

(sorry, that was really low hanging fruit.)

[P3bWjm1j]

Are sympathetic these Lada logos on the car. Good to see that Petrov has strong backing even from his Government to secure the drive.

[irrelaAnnekly]

Good point, when I was a kid Skoda would always be mentioned in the same breath as Lada when me and my primary school friends would make fun of crappy cars that we saw. Then they started doing well at rallying... now they're quite a respectable brand (although their recent reputation as basically being rebadged VWs may have had something to do with it as well)

I also gather that Subarus were seen as basically slow lumbering farm vehicles until the Legacy and Impreza rally programmes?

If Lada want to boost their image through motorsport and have the means to do so, then good luck to them.

BUT - something doesn't sit right with me about a car manufacturer backing another car manufacturer's racing team. Same reason I don't like GP2 and the scores of Mercedes and Toyota backed drivers that have competed in Renault-powered cars.

Still, Renault seem in dire need of funding and if this brings some, then that can only be a positive I guess.

The problem with Lada is that their products aren't really getting any better. You can actually buy a brand new Lada in this country but I don't think many do . But anyway, all funding is good funding IMO.

[Mymnnarry]

The problem with Lada is that their products aren't really getting any better. You can actually buy a brand new Lada in this country but I don't think many do . But anyway, all funding is good funding IMO.

Wouldn't know, haven't been able to buy a Lada in the UK since the mid '90s.

[Retapleapse]

BUT - something doesn't sit right with me about a car manufacturer backing another car manufacturer's racing team.

This does make a bit more sense though as Renault do own a share of Lada and with a Russian driver behind the wheel it seems like a good fit to me.