The two-day official FIA World Touring Car Championship test at Monza in Italy concluded a successful pre-season for Polestar Cyan Racing ahead of the season start in Morocco on April 8-9th.
Drivers Thed Björk, Néstor Girolami, Nicky Catsburg and test driver Yvan Muller have since late last year completed thousands of test laps on circuits in southern Europe, all in preparation for the goal to become world champions this year.
The test at Monza, held on March 14-15th, was the first real test against the competition of the 2017 FIA WTCC field and while focus was put on testing various setups rather than outright lap times, drivers Björk, Girolami and test driver Muller were competitive from the first session.
"I am really happy with the outcome of the test at Monza as well as the entire pre-season. I have never before driven this much ahead of a season and that is key part to our raised ambition for this year to become world champions. We have taken leaps forward compared to our debut season last year and while we no doubt have a tough season ahead of us, the feeling I bring to the season start in Morocco is definitely confidence," said Thed Björk.
"I must say that the feeling is great ahead of the season start. I feel right at home in the team and we have quickly established a good way of working, taking major steps forward. The car worked really well in the test at Monza, this is a suitable circuit for our Volvo S60 Polestar TC1 and I look forward to the race here in April. The season start is not far away and next up awaits further preparation in our simulator," said Néstor Girolami.
"We have made constant improvements throughout the pre-season and we have taken serious steps forward regarding performance. While I missed the pre-season test in Monza due to sports car racing commitments in the US, I share the feeling of confidence with my team-mates Thed and Néstor. The season start can’t come soon enough," said Nicky Catsburg.
The Polestar Cyan Racing team will head home to Sweden to make the final preparations ahead of the season start on the demanding street circuit Marrakech in Morocco on April 8-9th.
Follow the team during the 2017 WTCC season at: wtcc.polestar.com