Thed Björk: “We’ll battle all the way until the end”

Polestar Cyan Racing’s Thed Björk believes the championship battle is set to go to the wire this year, with Honda and Volvo so equally matched across the first two events, with Björk enjoying his Race 1 duel with current points leader Tiago Monteiro.

The four-time STCC drivers’ champion drove from pole to victory in the main race at Monza, albeit losing the lead to Monteiro for one lap, with the two set to continue their panel-bashing battle from the first race.

“It’s a great feeling. The whole weekend has felt great for me, so I hope to just keep this momentum and keep going forward in the championship,” said Björk to TouringCarTimes.

Like many, Björk was surprised that Honda were able to take the fight to Volvo at the Italian circuit, which many predicted would be a straight fight between Citroën and Volvo, especially after the pre-season test there in March.

“When we were last here, they didn’t really have this pace or speed, but they are a really hard working team, so they will definitely put up a fight,” said Björk. “So, yes, I’m surprised, but we still managed to beat them.

“It’ll be a really close championship, and we will battle all the way to the end. I was side-by-side with Tiago at the Ascari corner in the first race, and he gave me room, I gave him room. It was a really great fight.”