Yann Ehrlacher pleased with TCR World Tour runner-up slot after “tough” weekend

Yann Ehrlacher has expressed satisfaction at taking second place in a close-fought TCR World Tour campaign, as the Frenchman nearly trumped new champion Norbert Michelisz in a dramatic finale in Macau, ten points behind.

Ehrlacher came home third in the final race of the season, which was not quite enough to overhaul Michelisz for the title as the Hungarian Hyundai star clinched the inaugural World Tour.

Ehrlacher, himself a two-time world-level champion after winning the 2020 and 2021 WTCR campaigns, was not too disheartened to have lost out in the 2023 title race however, treading through a challenging weekend in Macau where a lack of top speed plagued the Cyan Racing Lynk & Co cars.

“I am happy to be vice-champion,” Ehrlacher said. “I have done some mistakes this season, but still we’re here fighting for the title for the third year. It’s been a tough weekend here as we arrived with 40kg. We have been massively down on the straight.

“It’s Macau, it’s a very tough track. I’m pleased with what we did and well done to Norbi (Michelisz) and Hyundai. He did what he needed to, put it on pole, won Race 1, did no mistakes and he deserves the title.”

Ehrlacher, on his part, helped Cyan Racing Lynk & Co secure yet another teams’ championship this season, giving the Swedish-based squad their sixth teams’ title in seven years.

“I’m very thankful for the team,” Ehrlacher concludes. “They have always done a great job. We all know how hard it is logistically to organize all of this and the performance they always deliver is fantastic. I also have to thank my team-mates; they gave me a lot of points this season and helped me all the way.

“At the end of the day we all want to win, but I’m happy with the show we have provided. I hope we can increase this in the next years with an even better field next season.”