Robert Dahlgren: ”I just needed one more lap”

Robert Dahlgren came 0.927 seconds from claiming his first ever STCC title after fighting his way from eighth to second in the last race of 2016.

”I just needed one more lap and things would have gone my way. But the race was 20 laps and I lost too much time in the beginning of the race,” said Dahlgren.

Dahlgren fought Richard Göransson for the title, making his way past his team-mate in the beginning of the race. The Volvo driver closed quickly on race leader Mattias Andersson towards the end of the race. Should he have managed to get past him, Dahlgren and Göransson would have ended up on the same points.

The rules would then have handed the title to Dahlgren as he was ahead of Göransson in the last race, similar to how Tommy Rustad got his 2009 STCC title when finishing on the same points as Thed Björk. But Dahlgren finished second and Göransson fourth, with seven points in favour of Göransson in the final championship standings.

”I am deeply disappointed right now. I wanted to win the championship, I wanted the gold medal, but it unfortunately didn’t happen. Congratulations to Richard and the entire team, they have done a great job,” said Dahlgren.

Dahlgren is yet to renew his contract with Polestar Cyan Racing for 2017 and beyond, but he is hoping for one of the three WTCC seats with the team next year.

”I hope to drive in the WTCC next year,” said Dahlgren.