Having led the way for most of the season, today Yann Ehrlacher finally sealed his second FIA World Touring Car Cup title.
Here at Sochi Autodrom, the Frenchman kept out of trouble where others found plenty of it, providing a fitting end to what has been a classy and consistent campaign.
Speaking after wrapping up the title in race one, the 25 year old still couldn’t quite process the feat that he had achieved.
“It’s not really sunken in yet if I’m honest!” he said. “Thanks to my team, family, and everyone who has supported me this year because it was definitely not easy – maybe even tougher than last year. Now I will just enjoy the moment.”
Although it may well have been a tough year for Ehrlacher behind the scenes, he and the Cyan Racing team made it look rather controlled in truth. Having secured their fifth teams’ title on the bounce, Cyan have firmly established themselves as the outfit to beat.
Naturally, their hard work couldn’t be left unacknowledged by Ehrlacher.
“Behind us there are plenty of guys and girls that help make us perform,” he said. “To be honest when you see the amount of energy they spend to provide us the best package, it gives us wind [in our sails].
“We are just thinking about racing every single day. Maybe we will have fun tonight and then rest tomorrow, but Tuesday we will start thinking about 2022. That’s why this team is so good.
“They are all-in and they live for this. As a driver that is just the most amazing feeling you can have when you are pushed by your team like this. So a big thanks to them and everybody back at the workshop in Sweden and China.”
Throughout the year, Ehrlacher has consistently suggested that the title was never on his mind, but today, having achieved his goal, the double champion admitted that was only ever a half-truth.
“It’s hard not to think about the championship,” he said. “As we progressed through the season we had the yellow banner on the car [for being the points leader], so I would think, ‘I want to keep that until the end,’.
“I have eight years of racing experience but compared to other drivers on the grid that is nothing. But with experience, you realise that it is better to take things race by race and optimise every chance you get.”
Speaking of experience, Ehrlacher believes that he is now in better shape to win than ever before heading into 2022, having learnt an awful lot about the sport and himself over the past few years.
“When I joined the championship I was a bit younger and less experienced as well,” he reflected. “Getting experience helps to be a bit stronger mentally. But I think this year was even another step compared to last year.
“At the beginning, having to restart from zero after being champion was a bit difficult for me to be honest, but then we clawed our way back to be here [as winners again].
“In the end where I’ve made the biggest improvement this year has been mentally I think. At a certain level we can all drive quick, but it is the way you manage the pressure during the season which is really challenging.
“I felt it was more challenging than last year, and I’m sure it has made me a bit stronger.”