Driver knowledge boosts Polestar WTCC team

The Nürburgring Nordschleife might be all-new for Polestar Cyan Racing but factory drivers Thed Björk and Fredrik Ekblom can count on previous experience of the 25.378-kilometre layout.

Both Swedes have raced in the ADAC 24h-Rennen, the gruelling twice-round-the-clock race ranked as the biggest in Germany, and will be keen to pass on their knowledge to the works Volvo squad, which wasn’t competing in the WTCC when the championship visited the Nürburgring Nordschleife for the first time last year.

“Each lap is like the best rollercoaster in the world,” said Björk, who will race one of two Volvo S60 Polestar TC1s. “There just is no place like it and I have huge respect for racing with the WTCC there. This is no doubt the highlight of the season from a driver’s point of view. The track should theoretically suit our car but it is impossible to make any predictions as this is such a unique place as well as the high level of competition in the WTCC.”

Ekblom, who won the S1 class in the 24h-Rennen in 2008, said: “I will utilise my experience from racing there in the past. It is going to be really tough, especially as it will be the first time ever for the team on the track. I keep my expectations realistic as we are in our learning period of the championship and especially on such an unpredictable track as the Nürburgring where it can be sunshine on one part and torrential rain on another.”