The upcoming KUMHO FIA TCR World Tour event at the Zhuzhou International Circuit marks a moment for Lynk & Co Cyan Racing as they prepare for the penultimate round of the 2024 season. This race carries added weight for the team, given that Zhuzhou serves as Lynk & Co’s home track and will feature a large field of 30 competing cars.
The team’s last appearance in China was in 2019, where they achieved two victories out of three races, further solidifying their success. With enthusiastic support expected from both employees and fans of Lynk & Co China, the event promises to be a special occasion for the Swedish outfit.
This race holds particular importance for Ma Qing Hua, one of the few drivers with prior experience on the Zhuzhou circuit. Representing a Chinese brand on home soil, Ma is eager to capitalize on his familiarity with the track and help the team maintain its momentum.
“I am excited to race at home, facing top drivers from TCR China. Knowing this circuit well gives us an advantage, and I look forward to supporting Thed and Yann in the title race as we aim to extend our team championship lead,” he said.
Lynk & Co Cyan Racing currently holds a 33-point lead over Hyundai in the team standings, with Thed Björk sitting in third place in the drivers’ championship, 29 points shy of leader Norbert Michelisz. Returning to competition after an extended break, Björk is eager to race at Zhuzhou for the first time in five years.
“I’m excited to hit the track again, especially here, where Lynk & Co has its roots. Our recent performances have been strong, and I’m confident we can maintain that form. I’ve been preparing with simulator sessions on this circuit, and now it’s time to translate that preparation into results,” Björk remarked, emphasizing the importance of this weekend’s event in the title battle.
Yann Ehrlacher, who is currently fourth in the drivers’ standings, trails Björk by 14 points. The two-time world champion is optimistic about his return to China, despite the challenges ahead. “It feels great to be racing in China once more, and I expect strong support from the fans.
The circuit resembles those in Europe, but with hot and humid conditions, we’ll need to adapt. Even though I’m 40 points behind the championship leader, there’s still a chance, and we’re determined to fight for the title,” Ehrlacher stated.
While this race offers a familiar setting for Ma Qing Hua, it presents a new experience for teammate Santiago Urrutia, who will compete on Chinese soil for the first time.
Urrutia is optimistic about the weekend, saying, “I’m looking forward to racing here in front of Chinese fans. The track seems to suit our car, and we’ll push hard to score big points and hopefully celebrate with the Lynk & Co family at Zhuzhou.”
The weekend kicks off with practice on Friday, followed by qualifying and the first race on Saturday, and concluding with Race 2 on Sunday. Both races will be streamed live via the TCR TV platform, bringing the action to fans worldwide.