ELMS – Yvan Muller does not hide his frustration

Disappointment and frustration. These were the feelings within Yvan Muller Racing after the finish of the 4 Hours of the Red Bull Ring, last Sunday in Austria. On the Ligier JS P3 n°18 Alexander Cougnaud, Thomas Laurent and Yann Ehrlacher had their sights set on a first success in the category on the European front Le Mans Series 2016, with a comfortable lead over the competition.

But the decision of the race commissioners to force the French team to replace a damaged deflector ruined the chances of success of the Alsatian LM P3. “We came across someone who decided we needed to change this part, and who didn't give us the opportunity to discuss their decision, comments Yvan muller. A decision all the more difficult to swallow as we were the only ones sanctioned while several other competitors were also affected.

This is incomprehensible, unacceptable, and disgusting. We were twenty seconds ahead of our closest competitor, we were the fastest on the track, and victory was in our hands. »

The same feeling of injustice was present among the Muller Racing drivers, despite their first-rate performance on the Austrian track. “In racing, it’s a feeling of injustice that quite simply dominates, proclaims Alexander Cougnaud. Why us and not the others who had, for some, much more damage on the same piece... The results are bitter, because we are not in our place. »

“It’s a huge frustration, comments Yann Ehrlacher, reigning French Supertourism champion. All three of us were faster than those who won the race. We made no mistakes, even the collision at the start of the race was not our responsibility. »

Despite everything, the boss wanted to retain the performances displayed, which could usher in an accomplished end to the season for the three teammates of the No. 3 Ligier JS P18. And what could be better than a home event at Paul-Ricard at the end of August to try to get back to the forefront of the category.

Find the full report of the 4 Hours of Red Bull Ring, produced by our special correspondent in Austria, in issue 2072 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version, and on newsstands.