Geely Wins First-Ever TCR World Tour Race in Debut

A Chinese car brand just proved it can beat the world's best racing teams on their first try.

Geely Auto Group scored its first-ever FIA TCR World Tour victory at Italy's Misano World Circuit this weekend, with Chinese driver Ma Qinghua piloting the all-new Geely Preface TCR to victory. The win came in just the second race of the team's debut season, a stunning achievement in the competitive world of touring car racing.

Starting third on the grid, Ma immediately jumped to second place at the first turn. He battled fiercely with drivers in Honda and Hyundai race cars before taking the lead on lap six and steadily pulling away from the competition.

The victory was even sweeter because Geely claimed two spots on the podium. Swedish driver Thed Björk charged from sixth place to finish third, giving the rookie team a double celebration in front of thousands of fans.

The Geely Preface TCR is based on the same platform that underpins Volvo vehicles and uses technology developed through Geely's global partnerships. The road version of the car features a turbocharged engine producing 217 horsepower, with a hybrid model coming soon that promises exceptional fuel efficiency at 3.98 liters per 100 kilometers.

Why This Inspires

This victory represents more than just one race win. It shows how far Chinese automotive engineering has come in recent years, competing head-to-head with established European and Japanese brands that have dominated motorsports for decades. The success also demonstrates what's possible when a company commits to innovation and invests in developing world-class technology.

Chen Jun from Geely Group Motorsport called it "a truly historic moment" and "a proud moment for Chinese automotive brands." The team plans to continue competing throughout the season, bringing what they call "Chinese speed" to racetracks around the world.

The engines powering Geely's race cars come from technology developed in Sweden and now used across multiple brands, including Proton vehicles. This global collaboration between engineers from different countries shows how modern automotive innovation breaks down borders.

For racing fans, the victory proves the TCR World Tour just got a lot more interesting with a serious new competitor on the grid.