Photo: Cyan Racing

Lynk & Co Cyan Racing names first two World Tour drivers

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Lynk & Co Cyan Racing has become the first team to name drivers who will compete in the full TCR World Tour in 2023.

The Swedish team, which will run four Lynk & Co 03 TCRs in the new global series, has confirmed that it will retain the services of former WTCC title winner Thed Björk, as well as ex-F1 test driver Ma Qing Hua as the first two full-season entrants.

Björk will be starting his twelfth season in Cyan Racing colours and admitted he was confident of a strong campaign in 2023.

“I am as motivated for my twelfth season as I was for my first!,” he said. “The TCR World Tour means a new spark of motivation for me to return to the international circuits and face a new type of opposition. I think this will suit me really well. And I do look forward to continuing my co-operation with Ma who I think completed an impressive first season with us last year.”

Ma meanwhile embarks on a second season with the team having seen his 2022 programme cut short when the Lynk & Cos withdrew from the WTCR campaign early due to safety concerns after a number of tyre-related issues.

“I’m really proud and excited to be a Lynk & Co Cyan Racing driver again this year,” he said. “It’s a fresh season with a different format and new circuits, a tough challenge that I’m looking forward to.

“I’m happy to be team-mate to Thed again, we had a good co-operation last year that I look forward to developing further.”

The final two drivers in the line-up will be confirmed next month alongside a pair that team manager Fredrik Wahlén said were amongst the best around.

“We are delighted to have Thed and Ma onboard for our TCR World Tour programme, two of the best touring car drivers in the world,” he said. “Their extensive experience will be crucial to our programme as we return to a global race schedule with circuits like Macau and Bathurst.”

Ben Bargwanna, who will contest selected races in a Peugeot 308TCR is the only other driver confirmed so far on the grid, although Comtoyou Racing has announced a four-car Audi programme.