Thed Björk planning to go flat out after entertaining Race 1 fight

2017 WTCC champion Thed Björk provided most of the entertainment in the first FIA TCR World Tour heat at Vallelunga.

The Lynk & Co driver defended hard from Honda’s Marco Butti and Hyundai’s Mikel Azcona for most of the race, which was a masterclass in defensive driving until the Swede made contact with BF Motorsport’s Ramazan Kaya whilst lapping him, which allowed his rivals through.

“The track was damp, so sometimes when you hit the wrong patch of water you lose time,” said the Cyan Racing driver to TouringCarTimes.

“I was slow in some corners, the Honda and the Hyundai drivers were quicker than me. Although I managed to open a small gap, they were still stronger. In the end they both overtook me when I had the contact while lapping a car.

“Once they overtook me that was it. I was driving very defensively to keep my position, and usually when you do that you will be overtaken in a couple of laps.”

After the incident, Björk allowed team-mate Santiago Urrutia through, hoping the Uruguayan would be able to challenge Butti and Azcona.

“I felt a little out of balance, I had probably used the tyres a little too much whilst defending. I told the team that if Santi had a bit more pace, then he could have a go. He was not so much faster but you never know, so we tried and in the end he gave me the position back in the end,” said Björk.

Björk plans to go flat out in today’s second race at Vallelunga, conscious of the need to bag all the points he can in the early stages of the championship.

“I have to go for all the points I can, it’s just the beginning of the season but we have to fight all the time and bag as many points as we can in all conditions.”