Britain's James Thompson takes a step into the unknown this weekend as he prepares to make his debut for LADA in the World Touring Car Championship at Porto.

Thompson has a busy 2009 schedule with commitments in both the Danish and British national touring car series, but that has not stopped the two-time BTCC champion signing up for four WTCC outings with LADA.

"It's a very exciting occasion and I'm really looking forward to driving the Priora in competition for the first time," said Thompson.

The seventh round of the season will see the LADA team debut their new car, with Thompson the only one of the team's three drivers to get the nod to drive the upgraded model.

Such is the rawness of both the car and Thompson's knowledge of the team, the Yorkshireman is keeping his expectations in check ahead of race day.

He added: "We've obviously got a lot of development work ahead of us, but I am sure we will be able to learn plenty of important lessons as the weekend goes on.

"I've got no particular expectations as everything is so new, so we will just take everything as it comes."