Robert Dahlgren will be forced to miss the season finale of the World Touring Car Championship in Macau on Sunday following his accident earlier today.





Dahlgren crashed head-on into the barriers at the Solitude Esses at the beginning of Q2 - with his Volvo briefly bursting into flames.
Although he was able to get out of the car unaided, a medical examination afterwards showed him to have broken a bone in his right thumb.

By Jonathan Noble : Autosport.com

Volvo Polestar Racing and Robert Dahlgren looked right on pace in practice ahead of the Chinese WTCC races up until qualifying, where a drying track messed things up for the Swedes.
"We were fast all weekend, but qualifying was a lottery that unfortunately had a decisive impact on the rest of the weekend for us," said Dahlgren.




Dahlgren went out too early as the track dried up, meaning that his tyres were too worn out in the final minutes of the session when the top times were set.
"We came close, but we went out a bit too early which meant that our tyres were too worn at the very end of the session. It was unfortunate, but that is racing sometimes," said Dahlgren.

The Volvo driver fought his way up to ninth from 13th on the grid in both races, but struggled to catch up with the top.
"The track is really difficult to pass on with short braking areas, but I had two good races. I held a stronger pace than most of the drivers in front of me and I was able to make some ground to finish in the points," said Dahlgren.

The WTCC final at legendary Macau will be a first ever for both Dahlgren and the Polestar Racing team. Dahlgren is hoping to bag his and Volvo's first ever WTCC podium finish.
"Macau is going to be the toughest challenge of the year, it is a track that all drivers have to race on once in their lifetime. I am very much looking forward to the race and our firm goal is to end the season on a high," said Dahlgren.

By Johan Meissner : TouringCarTimes

Robert Dahlgren and Volvo Polestar Racing showed promising form in the Japanese WTCC races with third in qualifying and a strong fifth in the second race.
"I was faster than the guys ahead of me in the second race, but it was not easy to pass on this track. While I wanted a trophy from this weekend, I am still happy overall and my expectations are high for the coming races," said Dahlgren to TouringCarTimes.





Dahlgren was just 0.069 seconds from pole position for the first race, but was pushed off in to the barriers in the sprint for the first corner with a lot of damage on the Volvo C30 as a result.
"The retirement was frustrating but the guys worked like heroes and managed to give me a car that was fast enough for a podium finish despite only having a few minutes of repair time," said Dahlgren.

The Volvo driver fought hard for a podium finish in the second race with a scarred C30. Dahlgren was close to Rob Huff for third, but lost one position to Alain Menu as the engine suddenly died.
"There was some kind of electronic fault and I had to restart the car. I had no problem in catching the guys in front of me after that. I am really pleased that we have been able to show that we have the pace to fight for top three," said Dahlgren.

Two races remain of the season with Shanghai in China next up and Dahlgren is keen to get a trophy.
"Shanghai is yet another new track for everyone and I feel confident. I hope that we are able to challenge Chevrolet for real there and there is no doubt that we can fight for top three," said Dahlgren.

By Johan Meissner : TouringCarTimes

Three race weekends remain of the FIA World Touring Car Championship 2011 and Volvo driver Robert Dahlgren is determined to get a podium finish before the season end.
"My goal is to be on the podium, we have been close a couple of times," said Dahlgren to TouringCarTimes.




Dahlgren and the Volvo Polestar Racing team has shown promising performance as the season has progressed with second in qualifying and fourth in the first race at Oschersleben as best result.
"We have taken substantial steps forward during the season and we have established our selves in the very top of WTCC. Hopefully we can take yet another step forward this weekend," said Dahlgren.

The Swedish driver was second fastest in the first test session at Suzuka.
"The track is new for everyone and it is really nice that we are on the same level as everyone else this time compared to the other circuits of the season. I feel confident for this weekend and I am looking forward to the remaining Asian races," said Dahlgren.

By Johan Meissner : TouringCarTimes

Robert Dahlgren returns to the STCC with Volvo Polestar Racing for the two final race weekends at Knutstorp and Mantorp.
"It feels great and inspiring to work together with Tommy again. We have got a tough and challenging mission ahead of us," said Dahlgren.




Dahlgren is going to help Tommy Rustad, who currently is third in the championship, for the drivers title and Volvo Polestar Racing for the team's title.
"Our position is strong and my task is crystal clear where I am going to help Tommy for the drivers title and to bring the teams' title to Volvo Polestar Racing," said Dahlgren.

Volvo ran Gabriele Tarquini for the past two STCC races in an evaluation ahead of an eventual FIA World Touring Car Championship programme in 2012.
"We have had two rewarding races with Gabriele and we are continuing the negotiations ahead of 2012. We have decided to bring in Dahlgren, who has got a vast experience of the Swedish tracks, as our current WTCC programme does not clash with the two final STCC races," said Christian Dahl, Managing Director of Volvo Polestar Racing.

Rustad and Dahlgren raced together in the STCC between 2008 and 2010 while Dahlgren left for the WTCC this season.
"It's good to have Robert back, we get along well and we have always worked well together. The feeling ahead of the weekend is really good after our pole position and superior victory last time," said Rustad.

By Johan Meissner : TouringCarTimes