WTCR 'surprised' by Lynk & Co withdrawal

Lynk & Co announced this Thursday the withdrawal of its team for the remainder of the 2022 WTCR season. The five Cyan Racing examples driven by Thed Bjork, Qing Hua, Santi Urrutia, but especially Yann Ehrlacher and Yvan Muller will no longer run this year. A heartbreak for the two French people who were going to compete in their event at home, on the Ring of the Rhine, this weekend.

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This withdrawal was decided following the repeated problems encountered with the tires since the Nürburgring at the end of May. In Germany, in the space of two days, around fifteen punctures punctuated the different sessions. Under the leadership of Lynk & Co, but also Honda, the round was canceled. At Vallelunga, Yvan Muller went off the track at more than 220 km/h due to a puncture and the long programs were unworkable in practice due to excessive tire degradation. The revolt was once again led by the Chinese brand who left the grid for both races at the end of each formation lap.

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Finally, this Thursday. Cyan Racing Lynk & Co decided to slam the door on the championship. “ This is the hardest decision we have ever made because every member of Cyan Racing is here to win and has sacrificed a lot to get where we are today. But we cannot race safely under the current circumstances and safety is our number one priority. We would like to thank the FIA ​​for their support in these difficult circumstances », Explained Fredrik Wahlén, the team manager of Cyan Racing in a press release.

“Discovery Sports Events and the FIA ​​are surprised by the decision of Cyan Racing and Geely Group Motorsport to discontinue their participation in the 2022 WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup, which was not anticipated in light of extensive dialogue between FIA, Cyan Racing, Geely Group Motorsport, Goodyear and WSC to address concerns following tire issues at WTCR Race of Italy », reacted WTCR.

“In addition to its responsibility for this additional test and the analysis carried out to ensure that the tires perform well on this circuit, Goodyear offered to replace the tires carried over from the previous event. »

“Today's announcement, particularly so close to the home race of Yann Ehrlacher and Yvan Muller, two of the most decorative drivers in FIA World Touring Car racing, is not only surprising but also very unfortunate and we agree the collective feeling of WTCR Race frustration from the Alsace GrandEst promoter and supporters. »

“Fortunately, WTCR can count on the participation of a number of other top teams and drivers, meaning that WTCR Race of Alsace GrandEst will go ahead as planned. »

“The focus will then shift to the remaining races of the season, details of which will be announced once an electronic vote by the FIA ​​World Motor Sport Council, due to begin on August 8, is completed. »

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