From the Nürburgring to Vallelunga, why Lynk & Co says stop in 2022

Lynk & Co carried out the threats this Thursday morning. While doubt hovered over the Chinese team's entry into WTCR, the decision was taken to end involvement in the discipline with immediate effect. Yvan Müller and Yann Ehrlacher will therefore not be able to participate in their home event at the Anneau du Rhin this weekend. But to understand Lynk & Co's decision, we must look back at the safety and puncture problems already encountered this season. 

May 28, Nürburgring: Cancellation of races

It all started in Germany. On the Nürburgring, in the space of two days, around fifteen punctures marred the sessions. Goodyear nevertheless tried to deliver new rubber during the night from Thursday to Friday but nothing changed. So faced with the danger posed by punctures on such a perilous route, Lynk & Co (already them) and Honda decided to lodge a complaint with the organizers. Complaints that have been heard. After organizing an exceptional assembly, the decision was made to cancel the two races scheduled on the calendar. Before the announcement, Lynk & Co and Honda announced that they would not take any risks and would return to the pit lane after the formation lap. Germany then marks the first setback for the WTCR. 

July 23, Vallelunga: The Lynk & Co slingshot

While the races were going rather well for Lynk & Co, the calm was disturbed in Italy. From the first test sessions, airs of the Nürburgring floated over the Autodromo Vallelunga. Yvan Müller was the first victim, leaving the road at more than 220 km/h due to a puncture. During testing, all five drivers were unable to complete long programs due to excessive tire degradation. So faced with the risks, Lynk & Co once again raises the threat of abandonment for both races. 

https://twitter.com/FIA_WTCR/status/1550758706580803585

But this time, the threats were carried out. Twice after the formation laps, the five drivers headed towards the boxes, leaving the grid impoverished. With this choice, Yann Ehrlacher and Santiago Urrutia had probably said goodbye to the coronations. But the punctures of Mehdi Bennani, Nathanaël Berthon and Tiago Monteiro proved both teams right.

August 4, Ring of the Rhine: The thunderbolt

So for the return of the WTCR to France, the situation had still not changed. Lynk & Co still has the heaviest car on the grid and the Goodyear tires cannot hold up during long runs. Faced with this observation, Lynk & Co decided to put an end to its involvement in WTCR. 

« 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 », Explains Fredrik Wahlén, the team manager of Cyan Racing in a press release. It remains to be seen how the future looks for both Lynk & Co and the WTCR.

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