Lynk & Co Teamwork Motorsport’s prowess was on full display at the Ningbo leg of the TCR China Championship’s second season round. David ZHU’s masterclass in Race 1 saw him claim victory in a commanding fashion, leading every lap. ZHANG Zhi Qiang’s strong showing added to the team’s glory, sealing a memorable one-two finish for Lynk & Co in front of their home crowd. Sunny WONG, throughout the weekend, maintained a remarkable and sturdy race pace, amassing valuable championship points that will surely strengthen the team’s overall standing.
Qualifying
Amidst the challenging conditions of the rain-soaked qualifying session, all three factory-supported Lynk & Co 03 TCRs demonstrated outstanding pace, effortlessly advancing to Q2. David ZHU put on a spectacular display, seizing pole position with a blistering lap time of 1:54.230. Sunny WONG was hot on his heels, securing a front-row start right behind ZHU. ZHANG Zhi Qiang also delivered an exceptional performance during qualifying, earning himself a third-place starting position for Race 1.
Race 1
As the race got underway, ZHU executed a textbook-perfect start, effortlessly taking the lead by the end of the first lap. In a masterful display of driving skill, ZHANG skillfully navigated through the pack, deftly ascending to the second position. Despite losing two positions in the opening laps, WONG remained unshaken. With unwavering determination, he focused intently on improving his race pace, refusing to let the early setback derail his performance.
Shortly after, a dramatic multi-car collision at Turn 2 sent shockwaves through the race, prompting the immediate deployment of the safety car. When the race resumed, ZHU and ZHANG demonstrated unwavering focus and determination. Pushing their vehicles to the limit, they charged ahead with relentless speed, defiantly holding onto their hard-earned positions until the final chequered flag waved, sealing their dominant victory.
Ultimately, ZHU extended his lead up to more than 5 seconds and won his first winners’ trophy of the season. ZHANG crossed the line in second place, maximizing the championship points for the Lynk & Co Teamwork Motorsport. WONG emerged with his flawless race pace once again, finished the race in fourth place.
Race 2
Owing to the reverse grid regulation for Race 2, all three drivers from Lynk & Co Teamwork Motorsport were consigned to midfield starting positions. ZHANG Zhi Qiang delivered an outstanding launch, quickly maneuvering his way up to claim second place. David ZHU, starting from tenth on the grid, staged an impressive comeback, deftly overtaking six competitors. Tragically, Sunny WONG’s race was cut short; his vehicle became embroiled in an accident, forcing him to retire from the race in its early stages.
Following two laps of leading, the safety car returned to the pits. ZHANG wasted no time and charged at the leader, pushing his car to close the gap with sheer determination. Meanwhile, upon the green-flag restart, ZHU expertly overtook a competitor to move up in the standings.
ZHANG’s moment of brilliance came at Turn 15, where he executed a flawless overtaking move to take the lead. However, his celebration was short-lived as his car received a 5-second penalty for track limits violation. This penalty cost him the win. When the race ended, ZHU claimed a well-deserved second place, while ZHANG, after serving his penalty, dropped to third.
Lynk & Co Teamwork Motorsport achieved excellent momentum during the Ningbo event. Thanks to David ZHU, ZHANG Zhi Qiang, and Sunny WONG’s efforts, the team extended the championship lead to 94 points. The next round of the TCR China championship will take place at Zhejiang International Circuit from June 27th to 29th.
