Polestar Cyan Racing has claimed a double World Championship lead after two podium finishes at the WTCC Race of Japan, with Thed Björk extending his lead to 16.5 points over main title rival and Honda driver Norbert Michelisz.
Just as in the previous round in China, rain was pouring down in both races where Thed Björk fought hard with his rivals to claim two solid top five finishes, bringing vital points to the title fight. Adding to the drama was a typhoon that passed Japan, forcing the organisers to move qualifying and both races to Sunday.
”We had the speed for better results but I am leaving Japan with a bigger championship lead than before and that was our objective. The team made a massive effort to bring me such a great car despite a very tough schedule due to the typhoon. I look forward to the next race in Macau where my goal is to continue scoring strongly and consistently,” says Björk.
Nicky Catsburg showed strong form all weekend, claiming second place in the main race and second place in qualifying, just a couple of tenths from pole position. The results have strengthened his position in the championship, climbing to third position, just 19 points from the lead.
”The results did not reflect our potential, but with that said, it has been a good weekend and I have moved closer to the championship lead which was my ambition. We had some issues, my wipers stopped working in the second race but I still managed to set the fastest lap. I do not agree with the decision to stop the main race due to the weather, but I am nonetheless happy with second place and my aim is to bring even more points from Macau,” says Catsburg.
After missing the final practice session due to an off-track excursion, Néstor Girolami came back to qualify third and end the weekend with a podium in the main race.
”After the trouble we had prior to qualifying, I am pleased with this result and a massive thanks to the team that has worked really hard and well under stressed conditions. I am especially happy to step onto the podium together with my team-mate Nicky for the first time,” says Girolami.
Thed Björk leads the drivers’ championship by 16.5 points and Polestar Cyan Racing tops the manufacturers’ championship by 46.5 points with just two race weekends remaining of the 2017 season.
”We are leaving Japan, the home race of our main rivals Honda, in the lead of both championships and that is something we are pleased with. With just two race weekends left and the extremely challenging street circuit Macau next up, things are looking good but we need to continue to fight hard,” says Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin, Head of Motorsport at Polestar.
The penultimate WTCC race of 2017 will be held from 16-19 November at the legendary Macau street circuit.
WTCC Race of Japan
Circuit: Twin Ring Motegi
Length: 4.801 km
Lap record (WTCC): 1:57.136 (Tarquini)
Results
Race 1 – Top 5
1 Tom Chilton Citroën C-Elysée 11 laps
2 Yann Ehrlacher Lada Vesta +13.158
3 Esteban Guerrieri Honda Civic +15.288
4 Thed Björk Volvo S60 +15.846
5 Mehdi Bennani Citroën C-Elysée +19.053
…
9 Nicky Catsburg Volvo S60 +36.629
11 Néstor Girolami Volvo S60 +37.127
Race 2 – Top 5
1 Norbert Michelisz Honda Civic 10 laps
2 Nicky Catsburg Volvo S60 +0.392
3 Néstor Girolami Volvo S60 +1.798
4 Esteban Guerrieri Honda Civic +3.306
5 Thed Björk Volvo S60 +5.554
Championship Standings
Drivers – Top 5
1 Thed Björk Volvo S60 228.5 pts
2 Norbert Michelisz Honda Civic 212 (-16.5)
3 Nicky Catsburg Volvo S60 209.5 (-19)
4 Tiago Monteiro Honda Civic 200 (-28.5)
5 Tom Chilton Citroën C-Elysée 184.5 (-44)
…
9 Néstor Girolami Volvo S60 110 (-118.5)
Manufacturers
1 Volvo 725.5 pts
2 Honda 679 (-46.5)