Cyan Racing wrapped up the FIA World Touring Car Cup Team’s title in Sepang on Sunday, with CEO Christian Dahl saying it was an ‘amazing feeling’ to secure the title for a third year with a third different manufacturer.
Dahl’s statement requires some further explanation, however, as neither the team nor the championship has remained consistent in those three years.
The Swedish team won the 2017 FIA World Touring Car Championship’s Team’s classification when it also wrapped up the overall Drivers’ title with the Volvo S60 TC1, in what was the last year of the WTCC.
Last year, the team was not officially present on the grid, instead lending most of its personnel to Yvan Muller’s M Racing – YMR outfit, which ran a pair of Hyundai i30 N TCRs as Cyan learned about TCR regulations.
This year the team brought in the all-new Lynk & Co 03, with the team claiming eight overall victories on its way to the Team’s title – the first for a Chinese manufacturer in world motorsport.
“To win three years in a row with three different manufacturers feels amazing,” said Dahl. “To claim the teams’ title in the first year with Lynk & Co Cyan Racing is ‘mission complete’.
“Next year our goal is definitely two titles.”
The team, which is the official motorsport partner to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, defeated BRC Racing by 34 points on Sunday in Malaysia. Victor Yang of the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group was delighted with the success in the car’s first season.
“After a most difficult race weekend and season, Lynk & Co Cyan Racing has ended it in a historic way. They have built a solid foundation for 2020 and proven their professional level of teamwork and spirit.
“Thanks to the whole team for their efforts and devotion. We look forward for them to challenge for a double title next year.”
Going into the weekend, both Yvan Muller and Thed Björk had a shot at the overall drivers’ title. However, fortunes changed dramatically on Friday as both drivers struggled for pace in qualifying.
In the races neither Muller nor Björk were able to fight at the front and gradually dropped out of contention as the day’s three races took place.
“This has been one of the toughest race weekends the team has ever experienced,” said Team Manager Fredrik Wahlén. “Everyone really pulled together when we needed it the most.
“I am proud of all in the team that we for the third year in succession are the champions of the world.”
Head of Geely Group Motorsport, Alexander Murdzevski, highlighted the speed with which the new programme had gone from inception to success.
“The Lynk & Co 03 TCR project has been put together in record time, going from plans to a finished car in less than 25 weeks, with almost every unit from every country within the group contributing,” said Murdzevski.
“We are so proud and happy to witness Cyan Racing claim the title today, and doing it with such high standard of sportsmanship from race one and throughout.”