Cyan Racing has confirmed that it will retain Thed Björk and Santiago Urrutia in its 2022 Lynk & Co driver line-up for the FIA World Touring Car Cup.
Björk stays with the Swedish team for an 11th season, including 2018 when he raced under the YMR banner, whilst Urrutia is entering into his third year with the outfit.
After Cyan Racing’s Yann Ehrlacher successfully defended his title in 2021, Uruguayan Urrutia was the team’s third-best ranked driver, finishing just two points behind team-mate Yvan Muller in the drivers’ standings, having picked up two wins and five podium finishes.
“I am very happy and honoured to be back racing in the WTCR with Lynk & Co Cyan Racing,” said 25-year-old Urrutia.
“To be in the best team for the third year in a row is a privilege and I am delighted to continue racing with Thed as my team-mate, as well as welcoming Ma Qing Hua to the team.
“The goal for this year to win and I will do my very best to deliver for the team.”
Björk had a more difficult season, ending the year ninth overall and without a win for the first time since he joined the team back in 2012. The Swede did manage two visits to the podium, however.
“It’s amazing to continue racing for what I consider one of the best teams in the world and we have all the conditions that we need to continue to deliver at the very top,” said Björk, 41.
“I’m very happy to continue my cooperation with Santi as well, we have a great relationship and know our joint strengths.
“It will also be a strength to have Ma Qing Hua onboard, he has got a lot of experience and I look forward to work together with him.”
Fredrik Wahlén, Cyan Racing Team Manager, says the team needs to continue to perform at the very top in order to defend its drivers’ and teams’ titles, which it has secured for the past three consecutive seasons.
“Santiago and Thed are key to our goal of defending our FIA WTCR titles this season,” said Wahlén. “We are delighted to continue our successful cooperation with them.
“We are once again heading into one of the toughest [series] in the world and there is certainly no rest for us as defending [winners].
“We need to deliver at our very best during every single session of the season and we have every intention to do so.”
Cyan Racing has not yet confirmed the status of its two-time champion Ehrlacher, or touring car legend Yvan Muller, for 2022.