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WTCC Nürburgring Nordschleife Best Driver Trophy goes to Polestar Cyan Racing duo

FIA World Touring Car Championship promoter Eurosport Events has broken with tradition by awarding the prestigious WTCC Nürburgring Nordschleife Best Driver Trophy to not one but two drivers after Polestar Cyan Racing's factory duo, Thed Björk and Nicky Catsburg, tamed planet earth's toughest race track in spectacular fashion back in May.

Recently crowned FIA World Touring Car champion* Björk won the Opening Race on the 25.378-kilometre Nürburgring Nordschleife with Catsburg following suit in the Main Race, which took place in front of an estimated 200,000 spectators during the 24h-Rennen weekend.

*Combined performance of Björk and Catsburg earns top award
*Prize in recognition of dominant display at WTCC Race of Germany
*Catsburg attends Essen Motor Show presentation basking in world title double joy

Catsburg's victory gave him a two-point world championship lead at the time, while the Dutchman also picked up the TAG Heuer Best Lap Trophy for the fastest race lap of all. Björk, Catsburg and Girolami combined to win the Manufacturers Against the Clock time trial for Team Volvo Polestar as the make out-scored rival Honda by 30 points in what would prove to be a pivotal moment in the race to win the FIA World Touring Car Championship for Manufacturers*.

"It was an amazing race to win, such a demanding track," said Swede Björk. "The car worked really well so I could keep pushing and slipstreaming on the straight. I was really happy to win at the time and for Nicky and myself to receive this recognition is fantastic, seven days after our world title double in Qatar."

Catsburg, who received the trophy from the WTCC's Eric Nève, added: "The Main Race was the focus so it was important to get the perfect set-up in the Opening Race and not do any damage. It was awesome racing in front of all those fans. Winning at such an awesome track as the Nordschleife meant a lot and taking the lead of the championship was the goal so it was a very satisfying weekend."

Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin, Head of Motorsport at Polestar, said: "The Nürburgring Nordschleife is the ultimate test of car and driver and the setting of a significant event for Polestar after we established a new lap record with the Volvo S60 Polestar road car in 2016. For our drivers to receive this award is fantastic and testament to all the brilliant work behind the scenes. It completes an amazing seven days, which began with a double FIA World Touring Car title triumph in Qatar."

Thed Björk and Nicky Catsburg follow José María López (2016) and Hugo Valente (2015) as winners of WTCC Nürburgring Nordschleife Best Driver Trophy. The striking bronze trophy, which was presented to Catsburg on the ADAC stand on the final Friday (8 December) of the Essen Motor Show will be put on display at Cyan Racing's headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden.

*Subject to final confirmation by the FIA

Zdroj: fiawtcc.com