How Muller can win the title in Malaysia?

Four drivers can claim the World Touring Car Cup crown (WTCR) during the final in Malaysia (December 12-15). Among this quartet is Yvan Muller (Lynk&Co). The Frenchman knows how to handle this type of event, as proven by his rich career in Tourism, including four World Touring Car Champion (WTCC) titles between 2009 and 2013. 

The Alsatian enters the Sepang meeting in third place in the general classification, 11 points behind leader Norbert Michelisz (Hyundai), et deux sur Esteban Guerrieri (Honda, 2e). 

“Experience is important, absolutely, recognizes the brand new fifty-year-old, who returned to the match thanks to a well-conducted Macau meeting (two victories and a sixth place).

In Macau, I was able to see a form of stress among certain opponents. I've felt this before but not currently, I have no pressure on my shouldersHe says. I have four titles and one more would mean I can still do my job properly. »

The season hasn't always been easy for Yvan Muller, with three retirements in the previous 27 races. “There were ups and downs. I lost a lot of points in Marrakech (Morocco) where I was leading (Race 3) before suffering a mechanical breakdown. 

On other circuits, I wasn't able to score points but the speed was there and with 30 races in a WTCR season, anything is possible, as we showed in China (two victories). 

The one who was recognized by the French state for his exploits behind the wheel explains that he did not file the Sepang track on the simulator. “I don’t know the route and I gave up after 10 rounds on the sim. But we have two practice sessions to learn the turns. In Macau I took pole position and won two races, so I'm right in the fight and that means a lot. » 

Well in his boots, Yvan Muller could therefore pocket a fourth title at the highest level of Tourism. Under certain conditions...

– if he wins all three races at Sepag and scores at least two points more than Michelisz during qualifying

– if he wins a race, finishes 2nd in the other two races and scores two poles. He would thus have amassed 75 points, but Michelisz must score 63 or less (2 victories, 5th place, less than 4 points in qualifying)

– if he collects the 85 points available because in this case Michelisz cannot register more than 73 points