Yvan Muller secures reversed grid pole in Nürburgring season opener
Four-time world champion Yvan Muller secured the reversed grid pole position for the first FIA World Touring Car Cup race of the year at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Santiago Urrutia was fastest of the Lynk & Co Cyan Racing drivers in qualifying and will start fifth for the second, non-reversed grid, race.
Dark clouds loomed around the 25km German circuit throughout qualifying, but the rain never hit while the WTCR cars were out.
"I think I can be pleased with this position on this circuit when you are 51 years of age. With the weather forecast we were very lucky today but tomorrow it could be anything. There is a hell in 'the green hell' after all," said Yvan Muller.
Santiago Urrutia recorded the fifth fastest time of the qualifying session and was just over 2.5 seconds from pole position.
"Fifth on the grid is okay and the car was working well. The conditions were a bit difficult, especially as we were first out and the track was getting better and better throughout the session. Compared to last year this is a lot better and I am looking forward to tomorrow," said Santiago Urrutia.
Reigning champion Yann Ehrlacher will join team-mate Yvan Muller on the front row of the first reversed-grid race after qualifying ninth.
"I didn't really feel comfortable with the car, we had some issues and I couldn't push as much as I wanted. We minimised the damage by securing the reversed grid front row and we need to play clever tomorrow to optimise our chances," said Yann Ehrlacher.
Thed Björk meanwhile was disappointed after qualifying 15th, a position he will start from in both races tomorrow.
"It was a really bad qualifying session for me. I was first out on track and it was really slippery. We made some changes in the wrong direction and that was it. I am really disappointed as I love this track," said Thed Björk.
A hectic schedule awaits the Lynk & Co Cyan Racing drivers tomorrow with two back-to-back races at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, starting at 09:00 and 10:20 CEST.
Both races are broadcast LIVE on Eurosport.
Schedule
Times in CEST
Saturday - June 5th
09:00 - Race 1 - 3 laps
10:20 - Race 2 - 3 laps
Media contact information
Johan Meissner
Press 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 the last four touring car World titles, most recently the 2020 WTCR drivers' and teams' titles 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.