Lynk & Co Cyan Racing driver Thed Björk managed to secure a top five position in qualifying of the FIA World Touring Car Cup weekend at the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife that offered traditional crazy weather.
The 2017 World Champion lapped the 25-kilometre circuit in 10 minutes and 38 seconds in very wet conditions during the first qualifying session to claim fifth position on the grid. The second session, that was held in drying conditions, saw the Swede finishing 19th as a crash of a competitor in the final corner meant that drivers had to pass that zone at 60km/h.
"The Nürburgring is the toughest track in the world and we got to experience that firsthand today. I lost too much time in one of the sectors during the second session, I just had no grip in the drying conditions. But I am quite pleased with fifth in the first session and we really need to captialise on that tomorrow to secure points for the championship," said Thed Björk.
Yvan Muller was sixth fastest in the first qualifying session but was hindered by the slow zone in the second qualifying session to finish 20th.
"There is really not much to say about today, we had technical issues and difficult weather. We will fight back in the races," said Yvan Muller.
Frenchman Yann Ehrlacher was eighth and 17th fastest respectively in the two qualifying sessions and says there was more pace than the positions showed.
"The first qualifying session went well and I was about two seconds faster than my first lap when I got a yellow flag that ruined my final attempt. I definitely think the top five was reachable. Then in the second session we had an issue with the slow zone and slowed a bit too much. A bit unfortunate, but that is the way it is and the pace is good, we just have to fight and score as many points as possible in the three races," said Yann Ehrlacher.
Three-time World Champion Andy Priaulx fought the difficult conditions in what is his first time driving on the circuit for ten years with 18th position in the second session as his best result of the two sessions.
"Today started pretty tough with me missing the first free practice due to a technical issue. Qualifying was really difficult but I had similar lap times to Yann, so I am happy. We were just very unlucky with the slow zone, that cost us a better grid position. But let's just move forward and see what we can do tomorrow," said Andy Priaulx.
The first race of the FIA World Touring Car Cup race weekend at the Nürburgring in Germany starts at 17:30 CEST tomorrow.
Results Qualifying 1
Results Qualifying 2
FIA WTCR Race of Germany
Schedule
Times in CEST
Friday June 21st
17:30-18:05 – Race 1 (3 laps)
Saturday June 22nd
11:00-11:35 – Race 2 (3 laps)
12:20-12:55 – Race 3 (3 laps)
Standings
Points for drivers – Top 5
1 Esteban Guerrieri Honda Civic 169 points
2 Thed Björk Lynk & Co 03 151 (-18)
3 Néstor Girolami Honda Civic 138 (-31)
4 Norbert Michelisz Hyundai i30 136 (-37)
5 Mikel Azcona Cupra TCR 120 (-49)
...
6 Yvan Muller Lynk & Co 03 108 (-61)
8 Yann Ehrlacher Lynk & Co 03 88 (-81)
18 Andy Priaulx Lynk & Co 03 37 (-132)
Points for teams – Top 5
1 Münnich Motorsport 307 points
2 Cyan Racing Lynk & Co 258 (-48)
3 BRC Hyundai Squadra 243 (-64)
4 PWR Racing 155 (-152)
5 BRC Hyundai Lukoil 155 (-152)
...
6 Cyan Performance Lynk & Co 125 (-182)
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 multiple titles, most recently the 2018 FIA World Touring Car Cup team title and the double 2017 FIA World Touring Car Championship titles for driver and manufacturer – and participated in the development of the Polestar performance models of the Volvo S60 and V60 in the years 2013 to 2015.
About Lynk & Co
Lynk & Co is the new global urban mobility brand addressing the needs and preferences of the connected generation and challenging auto industry conventions. Its products are designed and engineered in Sweden and will be sold globally.