WTCC – Yvan Muller will leave the discipline at the end of 2016

Four world titles (2008 with SEAT, 2010 and 2011 with Chevrolet then 2013 with RML which fielded the Chevrolet Cruze), 29 pole positions, 48 ​​victories. Here, before the last events of the 2016 season, the exceptional results ofYvan muller in the WTCC since its debut in 2006.

The Alsatian, a member of the Citroën team since 2014, confirmed before the Shanghai event in China that he would leave the WTCC at the end of the season, without however being able to be crowned with the chevron mark.

“I'm not sure that the end of a career is a question of age, admits the Frenchman. It's more a story of desire and motivation. Between testing, simulator sessions, physical training and traveling to races, a professional driver's season requires a personal commitment that I am no longer prepared to take on.

At the same time, I'm at a time in my life where I want to do something else. and I am happy to be able to make this choice after eleven seasons of FIA WTCC. During my career, I have had many great experiences.

These three seasons with Citroën Racing will keep a special place, even if I will regret not having been Champion with this team. But I will remain proud to have participated in the construction of this program and to have developed the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC. I also had great human encounters, with people who are passionate about their profession and about competition. »

The 47-year-old driver received a warm tribute from his boss Yves Matton, director of Citroën Racing. “Every time we get involved in a program, we look to recruit the best drivers.

This is why we asked Yvan to join us from the start of our involvement in the FIA ​​WTCC. We will not forget what he was able to bring us. Coming from rally, we had everything to learn and he never hesitated to put his experience at the service of the team. We discovered a great competitor and a great gentleman, who always put the interests of Citroën first. »

Muller, however, does not intend to retire from the world of competition. His Yvan Muller Racing team is notably involved in European Le Mans Series with the Ligier JS P3, and the four-time world champion also plans to continue behind the wheel.

“Driving has been part of my daily life for so long that I can’t see myself stopping racing completely. However, I will be able to devote more time to my family and the development of my team, Yvan Muller Racing. But before that, I will throw my strengths into the battle to achieve the team's goals. »

Citroën is indeed very close to winning a third consecutive Manufacturers' title this weekend in China. Yvan Muller, for his part, is playing for second place in the Drivers' championship, and will be tied on points with the Portuguese Tiago Monteiro (Honda) on the Shanghai track.