A hard but strengthening WTCC weekend in Russia for Polestar Cyan Racing

The FIA World Touring Car Championship weekend in Russia proved hard but strengthening for Polestar Cyan Racing, facing yet another two races with torrential rain.

”This is the most difficult period as a racing driver in a new programme when we are starting to come close to revealing the true potential of the car, but need to take two steps back in order to move one forward. The situation is quite simple, we need more tests and especially in the wet. We will get that, it is just a matter of time and patience,” said Fredrik Ekblom who finished 12th in the second race.

The weekend started strongly for both Polestar Cyan Racing drivers when the track was dry and Thed Björk was just tenths from the fastest times overall in practice.

The four-time STCC champion faced difficult conditions in both races, with an electrical issue in the first race and being forced to pit in the second race due to loose bodywork after being hit by a competitor on the opening lap.

”This is a weekend to forget in terms of results, but not in terms of what we have learned. We have taken a vital step forward in the wet compared to the wet races in Marrakech. The road is still long to reach what we want with the car, but it will come in time. I’m heading from Russia with strong confidence on that we are on the right path for the remaining season and especially for next year,” said Thed Björk.

The WTCC weekend in Russia was the penultimate one before the summer break, with the team heading to Portugal for the seventh race of the season at the challenging street circuit Vila Real in Portugal on June 25-26.

”We had one of those races that may not look so good in the result sheets, but gave us a lot to be happy about going forward. Bring on the races in Portugal,” said Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin, Head of Motorsport at Polestar.

WTCC Race of Russia

Circuit: Moscow Raceway

Results

Race 1

1 Gabriele Tarquini Lada Vesta 15 laps

2 Nicky Catsburg Lada Vesta +4.782

3 Yvan Muller Citroën C-Elysée +16.062

4 Hugo Valente Lada Vesta +23.683

5 José María López Citroën C-Elysée +28.092

…

13 Fredrik Ekblom Volvo S60 +53.227

DNF Thed Björk Volvo S60

Race 2

1 Nicky Catsburg Lada Vesta 17 laps

2 Gabriele Tarquini Lada Vesta +1.011

3 Norbert Michelisz Honda Civic +13.681

4 Rob Huff Honda Civic +20.120

5 Tiago Monteiro Honda Civic +25.497

…

12 Fredrik Ekblom Volvo S60 +54.460

15 Thed Björk Volvo S60 +1:19.323

Championship standings

1 José María López Citroën C-Elysée 223 pts

2 Mehdi Bennani Citroën C-Elysée 118 (-105)

2 Nicky Catsburg Lada Vesta 118 (-105)

4 Tiago Monteiro Honda Civic 112 (-111)

5 Yvan Muller Citroën C-Elysée 109 (-114)

…

12 Fredrik Ekblom Volvo S60 35 (-188)

13 Thed Björk Volvo S60 27 (-196)

#Motorsport  #Polestar