Thed Bjork disqualified from both races due to air restrictor infringement

Polestar Cyan Racing’s Thed Bjork has been disqualified from both races at Slovakiaring due to an excessive expansion of the metal in the air restrictor.

As per WTCC technical regulations, the part must adhere to the rules under all circumstances.

“The temperature of the engine and air restrictor was considerably higher when measured after the second race in Slovakia compared to during the race,” said Cyan Racing’s Head of Engine Development Mattias Evensson. “This means that there was no performance gain in the races, only the fact that we have not been able to test the expansion of the metal at these extreme temperatures that are only reached when stopping the car in parc ferme.”

With the flow of fresh air stopping when the car stood still and the airflow also partially obstructed by grass in the intake, the high temperatures meant the metal expanded in parc fermé and exceeded the dimensions allowed by the rules.

“The decision of the organisation is correct, we will not appeal it,” announced Polestar Head of Motorsport Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin. “As beginners in a new championship, you have to take into account that they are going to check the new car specifically. The important thing that we can take with us from the races here is that we have a good starting point both in terms of reliability, performance and that the results Thed achieved were taken on fair sporting grounds.”

Bjork’s exclusion means his overtake in the main race on Honda Racing’s Norbert Michelisz was of no use, with the Hungarian still taking two extra points for fourth. The manufacturers’ standings also change, but Honda are still eight points ahead of Citroën.