WTCR
Lynk & Co suspends WTCR programme over tyre safety fears
Cyan Racing Lynk & Co has suspended its World Touring Car Cup campaign with immediate effect over Goodyear tyre safety concerns.
Damien Smith
Edited: Aug 4, 2022, 7:27 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The decision means the five 03 TCRs driven by reigning double champion Yann Ehrlacher, his uncle Yvan Muller, Santi Urrutia, Thed Bjork and Ma Qing Hua will not compete in the round at Anneau Du Rhin in France this weekend.
The move follows the Swedish team’s decision two weeks ago to pull out of the Vallelunga races on the formation laps over the tyre issue, and following the cancellation of the round on the Nurburgring Nordschleife in May for similar Goodyear-related problems.
At Vallelunga, Cyan claimed it was unable to complete a race distance safely during a pre-weekend test on the Goodyear spec tyre used in WTCR. Then in a free practice session Muller crashed at nearly 140mph after his left-front tyre deflated. A spate of tyre problems followed for other teams in the races.
In a statement, Cyan Lynk & Co said: “The Lynk & Co 03 TCR model has, as per the Balance of Performance of the WTCR stakeholders, been the heaviest car of the field since its introduction in 2019 – currently running 80kg heavier than the championship leading Hyundai Elantra N TCR model. This means that the Lynk & Co cars of Cyan Racing has been most frequently and most severely affected by the 2022 tyre failures.
“After the team failed to find a satisfactory solution with the WTCR stakeholders in the week leading up the next race at Anneau Du Rhin race in France, Cyan Racing has in consultation with Geely Group Motorsport decided to suspend further World Touring Car Cup competition.”
Fredrik Wahlen, team manager of Cyan Racing, said: “We have a tyre this year that cannot handle the Balance of Performance and compensation weight window for all cars on all tracks. And our car runs heaviest of all. As a result, our drivers are subjected to tyre failures at high speeds and crashes. It is simply not possible for Cyan Racing to continue the season in a safe manner.
“It is the toughest decision we have ever taken as every single member of Cyan Racing is here to win and have sacrificed a lot of things to get where we are today. But we can’t race in a safe way under the current circumstances and safety is our number one priority. We wish to thank the FIA for their support during these tough circumstances.”
Cyan added that it will not take part in any other WTCR rounds this year, on a schedule that remains fluid following the cancellation by the FIA of the series’ Asian leg because of continuing pandemic restrictions.
“It has been a prolonged and incredibly frustrating situation for the team, the drivers, commercial partners and fans, a situation which have progressively pushed us out of the championship,” said
Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin, head of Geely Group Motorsport. “We are very thankful for the efforts of the FIA in trying to find a solution. Unfortunately, the combined effort of the WTCR stakeholders could not present a satisfactory solution to enable Cyan Racing to participate in the WTCR in a safe manner.”
WTCR has yet to respond to the decision.
Santiago Urrutia, Cyan Performance Lynk & Co, Lynk & Co 03 TCR
Photo by: WTCR
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Too early to say Nissan Z has the edge, says Baguette
Next article Final 10 contenders revealed for 2022 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Damien Smith
Obituary: F1 team founder Ted Toleman dies aged 86
Formula 1
Formula 1
Obituary: F1 team founder Ted Toleman dies aged 86
WTCR Saudi Arabia: Azcona crowned champion as series comes to a close
WTCR
WTCR
Jeddah
WTCR Saudi Arabia: Azcona crowned champion as series comes to a close
Latest news
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 8 h
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
8 h
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Phoenix II
8 h
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
15 h
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe