Lynk & Co Teamwork Motorsport showcased an impressive performance at the season-opener of the 2025 TCR China Championship, held at Shanghai International Circuit. ZHANG Zhi Qiang secured a top-three overall finish on Saturday, while on Sunday, David ZHU and ZHANG achieved a remarkable double-podium finish for the team. Meanwhile, during the race weekend, Sunny WONG exhibited an extraordinary comeback and executed well-planned maneuvers, providing support to secure valuable championship points for the team.
Qualifying
All three Lynk & Co 03 TCRs from the team advanced to Qualifying 2 with impressive lap times, with ZHANG and ZHU securing third and fourth positions on the grid for Race 1, thus achieving a second-row start. Meanwhile, WONG will commence the Saturday race from ninth place.
Race 1
ZHU made a strong start as the lights extinguished and advanced to third place, while ZHANG slipped to fourth during the opening lap. Just two laps in, both ZHU and ZHANG executed flawless overtaking maneuvers.
A significant track incident in the final laps resulted in the deployment of the safety car, erasing the substantial lead ZHU and ZHANG had established over the rest of the field. ZHANG secured third place as the chequered flag fell, marking his first podium of the TCR China season, while ZHU finished closely behind in fourth.
Meanwhile, WONG experienced a vehicle malfunction before the formation lap. The mechanics worked tirelessly to enable the No. 12 car to rejoin the race. WONG then staged an impressive comeback, ultimately finishing in ninth place despite starting from the pit lane.
Race 2
WONG initiated the race from the front row and executed a flawless start, seizing the overall lead. ZHU also showcased remarkable agility, advancing several positions in the early laps. Meanwhile, ZHANG made his mark in the early stages by setting the fastest lap at the time, clocking an impressive 2:12.270 on Lap 3.
In the subsequent laps, WONG relinquished the lead to ZHU, focusing on assisting his teammates in extending their gap. ZHU maintained first place until facing fierce competition from a competitor in Lap 8. Prioritizing maximum championship points for the team, ZHU opted against overly defending his position, ultimately finishing in second place. ZHANG secured third, contributing another podium to the Lynk & Co Teamwork Motorsport squad. WONG completed the race P5 in the Pro class, but his strategic teamwork coordinated maneuvers and mutual support, contributed to the team’s strong performance and enhanced the championship standing.
Following the Shanghai race weekend, Lynk & Co Teamwork Motorsport ascended to the top of the TCR China Championship Teams’ Standings, amassing 122 points — a testament to the outstanding efforts of ZHU, ZHANG, and WONG. The second round of the TCR China Championship is set to commence at the Ningbo International Circuit on the May 9th-11th.
Interview
ZHANG Zhiqiang: We have new competitors and various new models participating in the 2025 season, presenting challenges unlike any we have faced before. Fortunately, I am able to maintain good performance and handle unexpected situations with composure, thanks to the support of the team. Coupled with the seamless cooperation from my teammates, I successfully secured a podium finish in the very first race.
David ZHU: The racetrack in Shanghai has been resurfaced this year and we currently still lack the data regarding this high-grip asphalt, which makes this weekend quite challenging. However, I believe that with the efforts of the team and my teammates, we will achieve a significant leap in performance when we race here again.
Sunny WONG: The competition level we’ve encountered this year are really high, but I believe the greatest challenge is actually within ourselves. I need to push myself to perform at my very best, and then collaborate with my teammates in our efforts. My goal is to help the team and my teammates secure as many points as possible and to improve our performance!
