Volvo has moved to sign touring car legend Yvan Muller as its development driver in preparation for the upcoming FIA World Touring Car Championship campaign.
The Frenchman announced his retirement from the WTCC last year having won four world championships (2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013) making him the most successful driver in the championship’s history.
Muller, who also won the 2005 Sandown 500 alongside Craig Lowndes, has elected to join Volvo’s Cyan Racing, where he will advise the team and drivers Thed Björk, Néstor Girolami and Nicky Catsburg.
The 47-year-old has already tested the Volvo S60 Polestar TC1 machine and will take part in the WTCC official test at Monza from March 14-15.
”To start a cooperation with Cyan Racing is something that I am very pleased with,” said Muller.
“They developed strongly last year for their first season and we have made interesting progress during the winter testing.
“I look forward to continuing to work with them and developing the car, as well as the team.
Cyan Racing CEO Christian Dahl sees Muller as a vital asset for the team as it bids to conquer the WTCC this year.
”I am really glad and proud to have recruited Yvan to Cyan Racing,” said Dahl.
“There is no other touring car driver as experienced as him in the world and he is a vital asset to the team.
“We can already see the progress made, even though our cooperation is still quite new.
“The plan for the moment is that he is not going to race for us, but rather focus on testing and development.”
The World Touring Championship season begins at Marrakech, Morocco on April 9.