The Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Racing team confirms its driver linep-up for the 2023 TCR China, with no changes to its winning roster from 2022, with just the addition of a fourth car which will be run for the Geely Group Motorsport Development Driver Program (GDDP) winners, ZHU Yuan Jie & GENG Rui from last year’s initiative.
The team will field drivers David ZHU, ZHANG Zhi Qiang, and Sunny WONG in its Lynk & Co 03 TCRs, meaning the 2022 and 2021 TCR Asia champions, and 2018’s TCR China champion are all onboard for what promises to be an exciting season for the series.
The team will also run a fourth car throughout the year for the successful GDDP drivers from last year, with ZHU Yuan Jie joining the team for the opening round this weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit, and GENG Rui later on during the season.
The championship is stepping up a gear for 2023, with increased manufacturer presence and international competitors, which means Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Racing has a thrilling challenge ahead to defend its drivers’, teams’, and models’ titles from last year.
The team will be racing its upgraded and refurbished 03 TCRs, with the support of Lynk & Co China, and the support of key commercial partner Shell for the championship.
The objective is to fight to retain all three titles in what promises to be an epic season, as the Chinese championship continues to go from strength to strength.
Timetable
Friday 12 May
11:30 – Free Practice 1
13:30 – Free Practice 2
Saturday 13 May
09:10 – Qualifying
13:03 – Race 1
Sunday 14 May
13:43 – Race 2
*All times China Standard Time (CST). GMT+8
What the drivers said
David ZHU #1
I’m delighted to be back with Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Racing for 2023, and to be able to fight to defend my drivers’ title from last year.
We had a fantastic campaign last year, and the promise of this year is even more exciting, with the China racing scene opening up, and so we’ll have the opportunity to compete and show how strong we are as a team.
We work really well together, we have a strong car, strong engineering team, and fantastic team-mates, I couldn’t wish for anything better to take to the fight in 2023.
ZHANG Zhi Qiang #36
It’s great to be back racing again after a long off season. This will be my third full year with Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Racing, so it’s starting to feel like a family now.
We know this season is going to tough. The competition is stepping up, but I think we’re looking forward to the challenge and the competition. Our package is still incredibly strong, we know the car well, and the Lynk & Co 03 TCR is a fantastic race car, so I know we’ll be able to fight at the front with the best of them.
Sunny WONG #12
It’s good to be back racing again, and this season could well be the most exciting not to mention challenging season in which we’ll have competed in as a team.
I know I’m the 2018 champion, but I think last year was perhaps my best year to-date in TCR, and now the promise of 2023 with the increased competition and another exciting calendar, starting here in Shanghai and finishing at the amazing Macau circuit, is a thrilling prospect for any driver.
ZHU Yuan Jie #92
I’m really looking forward to starting my TCR journey this weekend in Shanghai with Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Racing.
I was delighted to take part in the GDDP last year, and to come out on top and win a prize drive in the TCR China championship is a dream come true.
This is a fantastic opportunity to drive in perhaps what’s the world’s best touring car, the Lynk & Co 03 TCR, and I’m going to try and make the best of it.
