Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Racing will be back in action this weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit for the second event of the 2021 TCR Asia International Series, following an unplanned four-month break since the season opener, which was also held at the Shanghai circuit.
The team had a very successful opening round, locking out the top three in qualifying with its three Lynk & Co 03 TCRs. Last year’s TCR China drivers’ champion MA Qing Hua then won both races, and therefore secured a healthy lead of this year’s drivers’ championship.
ZHANG Zhi Qiang finished in second in both races, and is therefore close behind MA in second place, while Sunny WONG finished third in the first race, completing a podium lockout for the team, but was unable to follow this up in the second race due after suffering a puncture.
MA Qing Hua is on 55 points, with a 15-point lead over team-mate ZHANG Zhi Qiang, with Sunny WONG fifth in the standings.
Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Racing also hold a strong 63-point lead in the teams’ standings, while Lynk & Co has a 69-point lead in the manufacturers’ championship.
With the continued global situation forcing a redraft of the calendar, the TCR Asia series is now ready to get back underway and is now an all-China affair, with rounds coming up in Shanghai, Zhuzhou, and Jiangsu, with a season finale at the iconic Macau Guia circuit.
The team’s aim is to build on its success back in May this weekend in Shanghai. The squad hasn’t rested and has been busy preparing for what will now be a very busy end to the season, with all the remaining rounds of the championship held over nine weekends.
MA Qing Hua, driver of the #55 Lynk & Co 03 said:
“It’s been a such a long break 一 but I just can’t wait to get racing again. We had a fantastic start to the season, and of course we are hoping to be able to continue on the same way, but motorsport is unpredictable. Our rivals ran into a lot of bad luck last time out, and we know they’ll be fighting back this weekend 一 but I know I have a great team and car behind me and I know we’ll be able to battle at the front for more victories.”
ZHANG Zhi Qiang, driver of the #36 Lynk & Co 03 said:
“Tm really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel after such a long break. It’s going to be a thrilling as well as hectic end to the season, after a four-month break, we’re now completing the rest of the season in just over two months.
“I’m also really excited that Macau is still set to hold the final race, and that will give me an opportunity to defend my title on the streets of Macau, and hopefully we’ll also be wrapping up the drivers’, teams’, and manufacturers’ titles as well.”
Sunny WONG, driver of the #12 Lynk & Co 03 said:
“I’m raring to go. The car was incredible last time out at Shanghai, and I know the guys have been working hard to ensure we can be even faster this time out, analysing all the data from the first race meeting.
“The goal is to work together as a team and fight to win all three titles, something we know is achievable given the strength of the Lynk & Co 03 TCR, which again is leading the way in the WTCR 一 FIA World Touring Car Cup, and we see it as our task to show how impressive the handywork of Geely Group Motorsport has been in the Asia region.”
CHEN Jun, Geely Group Motorsport department director said:
“We want to thank TCR Asia for hosting and being able to continue this championship under difficult conditions.
“Geely Group, as industry leaders in China, has had remarkable achievements in multiple disciplines in recent years.
“In WTCR, Lynk & Co is leading both the teams’ and drivers’ championships. So here and across the continents, with the winning driver line-up and professional work delivered by Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Racing, and with the strong support of Shell behind our programmes, we’re more confident than ever that we can accomplish more in the remainder of the season, and further demonstrate the strength of the 03 TCR.”
WANG Di, OEM marketing director of Shell China Lubricants said:
“It’s great to see racing back on the Shanghai International Circuit after four months respite.
“We look forward to watching Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Racing show great speed and for them to have a glorious weekend. Shell will, as always, be the force behind China speed, and we’re delighted be a part of it.”
