Fredrik Ekblom ”would not be surprised” if Volvo wins this year
Polestar Cyan Racing brings Volvo back to the FIA World Touring Car Championship this year and despite a modest approach from the team, experienced touring car racer Fredrik Ekblom says he would not be surprised if they stepped on top of the podium in 2016.
”I would be really disappointed if we are not in the top five during the season. I actually think we are going to be on the podium and I would not be surprised if we could win some races,” said Ekblom.
Ekblom, who has won the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship three times, is enthusiastic ahead of his return to the WTCC, having last raced in the championship in 2007 for BMW.
”This is huge. And it is not only because it’s the WTCC, the entire setup with racing in a team of people I’ve know for so long is incredibly motivating. I would say my experience is going to be a great strength heading into so many unknowns in our first year with a new car, new tracks and so on,” said Ekblom.
The 45-year-old has got vast experience of the FIA S2000 regulations, but the current specification WTCC regulations are new to the Swede who says the changes have made the cars more difficult to drive.
”The difference is actually greater than I thought. The new car is so much faster. It is more difficult to drive, more edgy. It takes more from you as a driver to be really fast and that is exciting,” said Ekblom.
Polestar Cyan Racing has chosen to run an all-Swedish setup in all parts of the team, from drivers to engineers and mechanics.
”It is incredibly unique and this is exactly the setup you dream of as a racing driver when you start racing. I have had a really long career and opportunities like these are super rare, especially as I am racing with my team mate Thed Björk whom I’ve known since I was 15 years old and working with team owner Christian Dahl who I raced against in gokarts when I was 12 years old,” said Ekblom.
Ekblom is in no doubt on his overall personal goal in the multi-year WTCC programme with Volvo and Polestar Cyan Racing.
”Of course to win it all. It is something I spoke about with our team owner Christian Dahl the day he signed me in 2012,” said Ekblom.
