The Lynk & Co Cyan Racing quintet opened the 2022 podium account, an eventful FIA World Touring Car Cup opener in the narrow streets of Pau-Ville in France.
Uruguayan driver Santiago Urrutia took second in Race 2 and led a Lynk & Co Cyan Racing double podium while Ma Qing Hua continued to impress during his debut for the team with third place.
The duo currently share fourth place in the driver standings as the best placed Lynk & Co Cyan Racing drivers.
“I am very happy to start the season with a podium, a big thank you to the team, they gave me a great car today and worked very hard. Overall we scored good points and I can’t wait for the next race,” said Santiago Urrutia.
“A very good start to the season and we have worked very hard to achieve this. This is my first race with Lynk & Co Cyan Racing and to be on the podium feels fantastic. the team,” said Ma Qing Hua.
Yvan Muller took full advantage of his strong starting position in race one to finish third, currently sixth overall – a single point behind his Lynk & Co colleagues.
“I’m very happy to start the season with a podium, especially in Pau-Ville, which is a real challenge. The second race was okay and we scored consistent points, which is the most important thing,” said Yvan Muller.
Reigning champion Yann Ehrlacher had a mixed weekend, pushing from sixth to fourth in race one, forced into the pits in race two due to a puncture and dropping to fifteenth.
“It was really nice to see the stands full of spectators, especially here at my home race. I had a cool first race, I had a good start and was able to gain places. The second race was one to quickly forget with the flat tire on a podium. We’ll be back, that’s for sure,” said Yann Ehrlacher.
Thed Björk had a rough weekend and had to withdraw from the first race due to damage sustained in his crash in qualifying. The second race saw the Swede bounce back and finish ninth from 12th on the grid.
“I managed to save some points from a tough weekend. I want to say a huge thank you to the team that put my car back together after yesterday’s crash. And I’m really happy to see Yvan, Santi and Ma on the podium, which makes for a strong weekend overall for the team,” said Thed Björk.
Cyan Performance Lynk & Co (Urrutia/Björk/Qing Hua) is third in the team standings and Cyan Racing Lynk & Co (Muller/Ehrlacher) fourth.
Next up is Germany and the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife on May 26-28.