Yvan Muller confirms WTCC retirement

The Frenchman is a four-time WTCC champion, and holds records for pole positions (29), wins (48), podiums (125), and fastest laps (38).

But this will be his last season in the WTCC, the 47-year-old confirming that he’ll step down from the World Championship at the end of 2016.

“I am not sure that age is the main factor when it comes to ending a career,” said 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 11 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.”

Muller is currently locked in battle for second in the WTCC standings, with two rounds to go in Shanghai and Qatar.