Thed Björk fought wet conditions and two safety car sessions to secure vital FIA TCR World Tour points with a podium finish in the first race of the weekend at Zhuzhou in China.
The Lynk & Co Cyan Racing driver started second and crossed the finishing line in third place, despite two safety car sessions and starting the race with slicks on a track which became increasingly wet.
The podium finish means that the Swedish driver has climbed to second place in the drivers' championship, trailing points leader Norbert Michelisz by 15 points.
"It was such a tough race, driving on rain with slicks - one mistake and you are completely off. I tried as hard as I could, but could not challenge for the victory. We lost some points on what we could have scored today, but we have still gained on the championship lead and that is the important thing," said Thed Björk.
Santiago Urrutia had claimed a strong pole position with Thed Björk in second and Yann Ehrlacher third, despite the latter two both carrying more compensation weight than the majority of their competitors.
Yann Ehrlacher finished fourth in the race and Santiago fifth, while Ma Qing Hua was involved in some incidents on the slippery circuit which saw him drop down to finish 13th.
The second race of the weekend starts at 14:00 local time/08:00 CEST on Sunday, with Ma Qing Hua starting from third place on the reversed grid, a race broadcast LIVE via the TCR TV streaming platform.
Further information about the KUMHO FIA TCR World Tour.
KUMHO FIA TCR World Tour – Race of China
Zhuzhou International Circuit
Results and championship points.
Schedule
Times in CST (CEST +6)
Sunday – 20/10
14:00 - Race 2
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
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 nine 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.