Polestar Cyan Racing’s Thed Björk believes that the added pressure in mounting a title challenge in this year’s World Touring Car Championship means its ‘back to normal’ for him as a racing driver.
Björk enjoyed the benefit of reduced pressure in the 2016 WTCC, as Polestar openly admitted that they were on a learning year, with the Swedish outfit needing to collect data from each track they visited.
But with the manufacturer now heading into their second season in the WTCC, with an expanded three-car team, there is now an expectation that they will be amongst those at the sharp end of the grid fighting for wins and the championship.
“It’s a lot more important [in 2017] because the first year was a learning season,” said Björk. “Now we are coming with a different view and we really want to beat the others.
“I got to drive the whole of last year without pressure and now they ramp up the pressure – but they also are giving us a lot more testing and things like this. So, it’s back to normal like I am used to.
“If you are going to win the championship you always have to perform. And what I can do is try to perform as good as I can and get some help from my team-mates, and then the whole team can go faster. So it’s a good feeling.”
Björk also says that the team having three cars, with Néstor Girolami and Nicky Catsburg having joined their ranks, will further aid Polestar in the championship battle.
“When you have three cars you have a lot more to do for the mechanics and for the team, but it’s also building you a stronger team that goes for the title. In the world championship three is the number you need for doing the WTCC MAC3 [team time trial].
“It feels great and there is a good team spirit already. I have got to know Nicky more and more each day we drive together. Also, Néstor is a really good guy. I will try to learn everything they know to be faster than them!”
Björk is also adamant that come the end of the year the championship trophy will be in the hands of one of the Volvo drivers.
“If I don’t win it Nicky will win it. And if I don’t win it and Nicky doesn’t win it then it will be Bebu [Girolami].”