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James Thompson will return to the FIA World Touring Car Championship with the LADA Sport team in Porto next weekend.

Thompson will replace team principal Viktor Shapovalov in Portugal and also in the rounds at Brands Hatch, Okayama and Macau

The 35-year old Englishman had his first test in the brand new LADA Priora at Zolder.

Team-mates Jaap van Lagen and Kirill Ladygin will also switch from the current LADA 110 to the new Priora from the meeting at Oschersleben in September.

Thompson boasts an outstanding WTCC record, having raced for Alfa Romeo, SEAT and Honda claiming four victories and 12 other podium finishes. In 2007 he finished third overall.

This season Thompson has been competing in the Danish and the British Touring Car Championships, achieving four wins.

"I'm very excited to be back in the WTCC and I feel very privileged that LADA have asked me to be the first person to race their new car," said Thompson.

"It's a great challenge to be involved in a new project like this from the beginning and I am looking forward to it very much."

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