Photo: MA:GP

Open-wheel ace Viktor Andersson makes touring car switch in TCR Europe

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Single-seater racer Viktor Andersson will switch to competing in touring cars this year, having committed to race in TCR Europe.

The 19-year-old Swede won the junior classification title and was second overall in the entry-level Formula Nordic series in 2019, then the COVID-19 pandemic hampered his racing plans.

He was able to return to action in United States Formula 4 late in 2020, then spent the next year in that series. For 2022 he stepped up to the IndyCar-supporting USF2000 series in the country, but did not complete the season and started testing touring cars this winter.

His transition to racing with a roof over his head will begin in a Lynk & Co 03 TCR, which will be run by the MA:GP team owned by his father Mattias. The entry marks the first time a Lynk & Co car will compete in TCR Europe, with Cyan Racing also entering four cars this season for the TCR World Tour which joins TCR Europe for three of the first four events.

“This is going to be a thoroughly interesting switch for me, going from single-seaters to touring cars. But I’m all up for it and I’m really impressed by the Lynk & Co 03 TCR after the tests we’ve done so far, I can’t wait to go racing in it,” said the younger Andersson.

“While pre-season testing has been encouraging, I’ve got modest expectations as I will meet a very tough field – especially with TCR World Tour joining us for the first part of the season. I will take it step-by-step and primarily aim for the top of the Rookie Trophy.”

Andersson’s father commented: “This is a big step for both Viktor and us as team after so many years of racing back home in Sweden. It is an inspiring challenge to race abroad and to help my son making his international touring car debut. We lack the experience of the teams that we will race against, but we will work methodically and aim for the top three of the Rookie Trophy.”

The car that Andersson will race has actually been driven in competition before with success by his father, as he came fourth in TCR Scandinavia last year in it and won a race at Karlskoga.

Andersson’s entry brings the number of so far confirmed entries for the TCR Europe opener in Portugal next weekend up to ten, head to the TouringCarTimes Grid Projections to get an overview of the entries.