Muller admits 2016 “my worst season" in WTCC
Four-time WTCC champion Yvan Muller has admitted that the 2016 season has “definitely” been his worst since he joined the series a decade ago.
Photo by: FIA WTCC
The Frenchman, who picked up titles in 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013, currently languishes down in fifth in this year’s standings – over 100 points behind Citroen teammate Jose Maria Lopez – having yet to win a race.
And while he has struggled to match Lopez since the two were paired up at Citroen in 2014, the start of the WTCC’s latest rule cycle, Muller was happy to admit that the 2016 season has been particularly poor.
“It is the worst season since I've been in WTCC, definitely,” Muller told Motorsport.com. “I have never had so many DNFs, so many bad results, but that is racing, that is life.
“Of course I would prefer to finish my relation with Citroen with a title, but we can't do everything we want in life, it’s like this. It’s not a drama, there are worse things in life.”
Asked if Lopez was the toughest driver he’s ever faced in the WTCC, Muller added: “I can't say if he was the hardest. For sure he is one of the best drivers I met, but the period is not the same.
“Three years ago I was better than I am now, and six years ago I was even better than three years ago, so I can't say that Pechito is the best or the hardest, but he is one of them for sure.”
Uncertain future
Muller had considered a full-time World Rallycross switch before finally committing to Citroen for one more season in WTCC at the start of the year, and once again faces an uncertain future with the French marque withdrawing at the end of this season.
The 46-year-old said: “There are some discussions with the other manufacturers [of WTCC], there are some discussions in different series, but as I said before I don't want to think about this before October.
“My age for a driver is quite old, and I'm old enough to worry for my future.
The former BTCC champion also poured cold water over the suggestion he could prolong his WTCC career by joining a privateer squad - which would be the only option for him to continue driving the Citroen C-Elysee.
“When you have been driving for a factory team for 10 years, it’s difficult to go back to a private team,” he said. “It’s not what I am looking for.”
Interview by Federico Faturos
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