​Lynk & Co Cyan Racing Joins 35-Car Grid in Uruguay for Second TCR World Tour Half

Lynk & Co Cyan Racing heads to Uruguay this weekend for the second 2023 TCR World Tour season half – the home race of Santiago Urrutia, which is expected to be sold out with a record crowd watching the massive 35-car field.

The TCR World Tour races with the competitive TCR South America championship at Autódromo Victor Borrat Fabini, El Pinar – the first of two back-to-back race weekends, with Argentina next up just a week later.

Local hero Santiago Urrutia started the 2023 season strongly with a victory in Portugal but had a difficult second part of the first half and is looking to bounce back in his home race.

“This race is a big dream coming true for me, to race in the TCR World Tour in my home country in front of my family, friends and everyone who has supported and followed me throughout my career. This is a historical happening to get a world series to Uruguay, and I can’t wait to get going. Let’s do this!” said Santiago Urrutia.

The team heads to South America after the summer break as leader of the teams’ and drivers’ championship, with Yann Ehrlacher on top with 195 points.

“It feels good heading to Uruguay as the points leader. It’s a position that I like and have been in before. Of course, the season is still long, and many things can happen. We keep focusing on performing as well as possible, race weekend by race weekend. I haven’t raced at this circuit before, but I’ve prepared in the simulator and feel ready to hit the ground running,” said Yann Ehrlacher.

2017 world champion Thed Björk is the second-best-placed Lynk & Co Cyan Racing driver in sixth position, scoring the most recent victory in Hungary.

“I’m excited to head to Uruguay and join a new circuit. The feeling is good after my win in Hungary, a feeling that I will carry with me to this race. It will be a challenge to race in such a big field together with TCR South America, but it’s a challenge I’m up to, and the ambition is to keep fighting for the TCR World Tour top three,” said Thed Björk.

Ma Qing Hua, placed ninth overall, has never raced in Uruguay and is keen to climb the order after a tentative first part of the season.

“I’m not happy personally where I’m in the standings, but I’m happy that we as a team head both championships. I’m excited to explore a new racing circuit in my career. I think it will be a big show this weekend in Uruguay. We will, as usual, work methodically to reach our goals of scoring high and consistently,” said Ma Qing Hua.

The TCR World Tour weekend in Uruguay starts on Friday with practice, followed by qualifying on Saturday and two races Sunday.

All races will be broadcast LIVE via the TCR TV streaming platform.

TCR World Tour – Race Of Uruguay

Autódromo Victor Borrat Fabini, El Pinar

Schedule – Times in UYT (-5H CEST)

Friday – 18/8
17:30 – Free Practice 1

Saturday – 19/8

11:30 – Free Practice 2
16:10 – Qualifying Q1 Group A
16:35 – Qualifying Q1 Group B
17:05 – Qualifying Q2

Sunday – 20/8

09:10 – Race 1
12:55 – Race 2

Standings – Drivers – Top 5

1 Yann Ehrlacher 195 pts
2 Norbert Michelisz 179 (-16)
3 Mikel Azcona 168 (-27)
4 Rob Huff 161 (-34)
5 Néstor Girolami 150 (-45)
…
6 Thed Björk 145 (-50)
8 Santiago Urrutia 111 (-84)
9 Ma Qing Hua 94 (-101)

Standings – Teams – Top 5

1 – Cyan Racing Lynk & Co 414 pts
2 – BRC Hyundai 351 (-63)
3 – Audi Sport Comtoyou 319 (-95)
4 – ALM Motorsport Honda 182 (-232)
5 – Comtoyou Racing 148 (-266)

2023 TCR World Tour calendar

28-30 April – Portimao – Portugal
26-28 May – Spa – Belgium
09-11 June – Vallelunga – Italy
16-18 June – Hungaroring – Hungary
18-20 August – El Pinar – Uruguay
25-27 August – San Luis – Argentina
03-05 November – Sydney Motorsport Park – Australia
10-12 November – Bathurst – Australia
17-19 November – Macau – China