Touring car legend Yvan Muller has revealed that he will retire from the World Touring Car Championship at the end of the year.
Muller, who recently turned 47, is the most successful driver in WTCC history, having amassed an impressive 48 wins, 126 podiums, 29 pole positions and 38 fastest laps during his 11-year career in the top flight of touring car racing.
The Frenchman also claimed an impressive 36 wins, 94 podiums and a single title in the British Touring Car Championship in the eight years prior to joining the WTCC.
Since joining Citroën for the 2014 season, Muller has been instrumental in the French manufacturer’s success, helping them to three successive manufacturers’ titles, should they inevitably claim a third this weekend.
The relationship with Citroën has seen Muller add a further 11 wins to his name, and he finished as the runner-up to José María López in both 2014 and 2015, and he is aiming to do so again this year.
“I am not sure that age is the main factor when it comes to ending a career,” said four-time WTCC champion Muller. “It’s more a matter of desire and motivation. With all the testing, the simulator sessions, the physical training and the travel to the race venues, a season of professional motor racing requires a level of personal commitment that I am no longer prepared to put in.
“At the same time, I am at a time of my life where I want to do something else and I am happy to be able to make that decision after eleven seasons of FIA WTCC.
“I’ve had some great experiences over my career. These three seasons with Citroën Racing have been particularly special, even though I never managed to be World Champion driver with this team.
“But I will always be proud of having helped to build our racing programme and develop the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC. I have also met some great people who are passionate about their job and have a fierce competitive spirit.
“Driving has been part of my daily life for so long that I can’t see myself stopping racing entirely. But I am going to spend more time with my family and developing my team, Yvan Muller Racing. Before that, though, I am going to put everything I’ve got into meeting the team’s goals.”
Prior to joining Citroën for 2014, the first time that Muller had driven for a French marque, he enjoyed most of his success with the RML-run Chevrolet team, wrapping up the WTCC title in 2010, 2011 and 2013. His first title came in 2008 as part of a four-year run with SEAT.
Muller’s last WTCC race will take place in Qatar in November, when the WTCC experiences its second-ever night race in the Middle East.