Lynk & Co Cyan Racing is back on track this weekend as the 2022 FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) season starts on the fast and narrow streets of Pau-Ville in France.
The five Lynk & Co 03 TCR drivers will face tough competitors from Audi, Cupra, Honda and Hyundai, opening the 2022 season on a street circuit which is brand new to the championship.
"I feel 100% ready to start our new season where our goal is to defend our titles, something that definitely won’t come easy this year – the competition is as tough as ever," said reigning double champion Yann Ehrlacher.
"Starting the season on a street circuit like Pau-Ville adds a new level of uncertainty, it's not possible to know what to expect. But I have done a lot of simulator, watched onboard videos and our track walk later this week will be crucial to the preparations as well. We will work methodically towards our goals as always."
Quadruple world champion Yvan Muller is one of few drivers in the championship with previous experience of the Pau-Ville circuit, albeit many years ago.
"My first race there was in 1988 and my most recent in 2009, but with completely different cars. It's a challenging track, like all street tracks are, and we need to be thorough in our preparations, as we usually are," said Yvan Muller.
Lynk & Co Cyan Racing newcomer Ma Qing Hua will face a steep learning curve, tackling the challenging French street circuit on his debut race weekend with the team.
"I'm really excited and proud to start my season with Lynk & Co Cyan Racing," said Ma Qing Hua.
"The first race will be very hard and a bit crazy, racing on the streets of Pau-Ville. But it will be a good experience, I need to adapt and learn as fast as possible in cooperation with the team."
Santi Urrutia, who finished fifth overall last year, is no stranger to street races.
"I've done similar street races in the US with single seaters, but obviously Pau-Ville in a touring car will be a new challenge," said Santiago Urrutia.
"I'm very happy to start a new season with Lynk & Co Cyan Racing and I feel ready for the year after a strong pre-season run."
2017 world champion Thed Björk says street circuits like Pau-Ville suits his driving style.
"I really like this type of circuit, it brings me a lot of driving pleasure and the character of it suits me," said Thed Björk.
"I've done a lot of simulator as preparations and the feeling is good. Starting a new season with white sheet of paper and on a circuit which is new to the championship brings an extra level of excitement. I can't wait to get going."
The race weekend is broadcast live on: eurosportplayer.com
WTCR Race of France
Schedule
Times in CEST
Saturday - May 7th
09:50 - FP1 - 45 min
14:50 - FP2 - 30 min
17:30 - Qualifying - 60 min
Sunday - May 8th
13:10 - Race 1 - 30 min + 1 lap
17:10 - Race 2 - 25 min + 1 lap
2022 FIA World Touring Car Cup calendar
May 7/8 – France – Circuit de Pau-Ville
May 26/28 – Germany – Nürburgring Nordschleife
June 11/12 – Hungary – Hungaroring
June 25/26 – Spain – MotorLand Aragón
July 2/3 – Portugal – Circuito do Vila Real
July 23/24 – Italy – Vallelunga
August 6/7 – France – Anneau du Rhin
October 8/9 – South Korea – Inje Speedium
November 5/6 – China – Ningbo International Speedpark
November 18/20 – Macau – Macau
Media contact information
Johan Meissner
Press Manager
Cyan Racing
+46(0)70 241 3234
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 five touring car World Titles, most recently the 2021 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.