The burgeoning Teamwork Motorsport outfit is preparing to unlock its true potential in Round 3 of the SINOPEC LUBRICANTS China Touring Car Championship (CTCC) at the Shanghai International Circuit (24-25 May).
The third round of the SINOPEC LUBRICANTS-backed CTCC takes place at the official host venue for the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, the Shanghai International Circuit (SIC).
Located in the Jiading district in the North Western outskirts of Shanghai – China’s largest city – the ultra-modern track was inaugurated in 2004, following a monumental effort by 3000 highly-skilled engineers to transform swampland into an international race circuit over the course of 18 months.
The circuit is dominated by a vast grandstand and pit facility and its 5.45km layout, which mirrors the Chinese character, Shang, was penned by German architect Hermann Tilke.
It features an array of elongated medium to slow-speed corners, including the long right-hander at Turn 1 that swivels through 270 degrees before switching back, and Turn 13, where a clean exit is imperative for a perfect slingshot onto the lengthy 1.4km back straight.
The weather can be variable in Shanghai and rain-affected races are commonplace, but Teamwork Motorsport is praying for an opportunity to showcase its new-for-2014 Citroen C Elysee in dry conditions.
Teamwork Motorsport has had a tough CTCC baptism. The outfit worked tirelessly to make its CTCC debut at the Guangdong International Circuit (GIC) in April, only for its cars to be sidelined by supply and technical problems following encouraging practice and qualifying performances.
Any hopes of making a splash in Round 2 at the Zhuhai International Circuit (ZIC), meanwhile, were dashed by inclement weather, as torrential downpours saturated the track and created hazardous river-like conditions.
Therefore, the Guangdong-based team’s driver pairing, Alex Hui and Sunny Wong, hope the rain stays away in Shanghai, particularly as the Citroen C Elysee has shown tremendous speed in dry conditions.
Hui said: “Sunny (Wong) and I are feeling very excited about racing in the SINOPEC LUBRICANTS China Touring Car Championship (CTCC) on the Shanghai International Circuit (SIC) – the home of the F1 Chinese Grand Prix. It’s definitely the best and most impressive circuit in China and, while Sunny has driven there before, this will be my first time.
“I feel the Citroen C Elysee will work well at the SIC, as the circuit demands both strong power and aerodynamics. Teamwork Motorsport still has to work through engine mapping and power delivery issues, and the lack of a flat floor might discount the car’s performance a bit. But I hope we can make good progress in practice and show the true potential of our package in the fight with VW and Ford.”