The Italian high-speed circuit Vallelunga kicks off an intense 2024 KUMHO FIA TCR World Tour season for Lynk & Co Cyan Racing this weekend.
The four Lynk & Co 03 TCR drivers will face a competitive field of 20 cars from Audi, Hyundai, Honda and more as the TCR World Tour has received recognition from the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) for the 2024 season.
Two-time world champion Yann Ehrlacher finished as runner-up last year when the team secured the teams' title.
"Vallelunga is a circuit where we have scored strongly in the past and that's our goal for the season premiere as well. But there are a lot of unknowns as usual ahead of the first race and we need to be on our toes. I've had a really good off-season with more driving than ever and I feel more ready than ever to get into this season," said Yann Ehrlacher.
2017 world champion Thed Björk was the second best placed driver of the team last year in seventh place overall with one win and six podium finishes.
"I got a really good feeling from last year which I am carrying with me for 2024. I feel incredibly motivated. My goal is to keep delivering, keep winning races and together fight for both titles. That's why I'm here, there is no other focus," said Thed Björk.
Multiple race winner Santiago Urrutia starts his fifth season for the team this year and is keen to climb the order in 2024.
"It's really good to start my fifth season with Lynk & Co Cyan Racing this weekend. Our expectations are high as always to fight for both titles. I have trained hard during the winter physically and mentally, I feel ready," said Santiago Urrutia.
Ma Qing Hua claimed his first TCR World Tour win last year, statistics he is looking to improve further in 2024.
"This is the best time of the season as we are about to start a new chapter. I think the competition will be even tougher this year compared to 2023. But we have made good progress during the pre-season testing and I can't wait to put our learnings into action. Touring cars on a world level is as always about scoring high and consistently. We will continue to push and perform at our very best from start to finish," said Ma Qing Hua.
The premiere weekend starts with practice on Friday, qualifying and Race 1 on Saturday and Race 2 on Sunday.
All races will be broadcast LIVE via the TCR TV streaming platform.
Further information about the KUMHO FIA TCR World Tour.
KUMHO FIA TCR World Tour – Race of Italy
Autodromo Vallelunga Piero Taruffi
Schedule
Times in CEST
Friday - 19/4
11:40 - Free Practice 1
14:55 - Free Practice 2
Saturday – 20/4
11:20 - Qualifying
17:15 - Race 1 - 15 laps
Sunday 21/4
14:25 - Race 2 - 15 laps
2024 KUMHO FIA TCR World Tour calendar
19-21 April – Vallelunga – Italy
03-04 May – Marrakech – Morocco
07-08 June – Mid-Ohio – USA
20-21 July – Interlagos – Brazil
02-04 August – El Pinar – Uruguay
19-20 October – Zhuzhou – China
14-17 November – Guia Circuit – Macau
More FIA TCR World Tour images.
Ends.
Media contact information
Johan Meissner
PR Manager
Cyan Racing
+46(0)70 241 3234
johan.meissner@cyanracing.com
About Cyan Racing
Cyan Racing was founded in 1996 and was formerly named Polestar until Volvo Cars acquired the performance section and trademark in 2015. Cyan Racing is privately owned and operated. The team has claimed eight touring car World Titles, most recently the 2023 TCR World Tour teams' title with Lynk & Co – and participated in the development of the Polestar performance models of the Volvo S60 and V60 in the years 2013 to 2015, including the concept models Volvo C30 and S60 Polestar Concept Prototype. The company launched the Volvo P1800 Cyan in 2020, Cyan Racing’s interpretation of the iconic Volvo sports car from the sixties.
About Lynk & Co
Lynk & Co was created to provide mobility solutions for the connected generation. We do make really, really good cars (the kind that have all the features you want without you having to ask for them), but we also offer a new way of using those cars. Our membership-based approach makes it simple to get on the go. Members can access a car on a flexible, month-to-month basis and share with friends, family, and the Lynk & Co community.
About Geely Group Motorsport
Geely Group Motorsport is a brand neutral entity based within Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. It was founded in 2018 to provide strategic and tactical expertise to serve the best motorsport sporting and commercial interests for the auto brands in the group. One of its tactical assignments include the development and management of the Lynk & Co TCR and customer racing programmes.