The most successful driver in the history of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) will be back on track when the 2017 season reaches its winner-takes-all climax in Qatar this week.
Yvan Muller (pictured right), who has more titles (four), more wins (48), more poles (29), more fastest laps (38) and more laps led (571) than any other driver, will switch from advising Polestar Cyan Racing’s drivers to contesting WTCC Race of Qatar in a factory Volvo S60. He will replace Néstor Girolami, who has agreed to stand down from driving duties for the desert duel, as Volvo Polestar goes all out to land a WTCC title double.
With two races remaining at the Losail International Circuit tomorrow night, Thed Björk heads the Drivers’ championship by 6.5 points with Volvo Polestar 12.5 points ahead of Honda in the battle to win the FIA World Touring Car Championship for Manufacturers.
“I am glad to be back racing again after working hard together with the team during this season to get us in a double points lead ahead of the final race weekend,” said Frenchman Muller, who retired from full-time driving at the corresponding fixture in 2016.
“My objective is to help Thed become world champion and support Polestar Cyan Racing to deliver the world championship. It is going to be tough, but I have no doubt that we have what it takes to accomplish that in Qatar,” he added.
Girolami has been fast but frequently out of luck in his first full season in the WTCC with a podium in Morocco and a pole-to-flag victory in Japan the highlights for the popular and highly capable Argentine, a double champion in his homeland. No longer in the title fight and focused on development work ahead of 2018, Girolami will be replaced for the season closer.
“I have accepted to give my place to Yvan,” said Girolami. “He is a legendary driver with more experience of the circuit in Qatar than me.”
Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin, Head of Motorsport at Polestar, said: “Néstor has done a great job this season and we are very grateful for his efforts. A key part of optimising our strategy for the season finale is to bring in the most experienced l WTCC driver possible – Yvan Muller. We look forward to seeing him behind the wheel, offering Polestar Cyan Racing the best possible chance of claiming a double world title.”
