Touring car legend Yvan Muller to retire from WTCC

Citroen factory driver and former Sandown 500 winner Yvan Muller has officially announced his retirement from the World Touring Car Championship.

Muller, 47, has compiled an imposing winning record in a host of championships during his impressive career.

Muller has claimed four WTCC crowns (2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013) and currently sits equal second in the standings with two rounds remaining.

His factory Citroen C-Elysee team-mate Jose Maria Lopez leads on 319 points with Muller and Tiago Monteiro locked on 199.

In V8 Supercars the Frenchman combined with Craig Lowndes to win the 2005 Sandown 500 as part of a two-year enduro stint with Triple Eight.

He also made Supercars enduro starts for the Holden Racing Team (2000), K-Mart Racing (2002) and Paul Morris Motorsport (2010).

Muller concedes that motivation rather than age is the main reason why he has decided to make 2016 his final WTCC campaign.

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

“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.”

Muller captured the 1992 British Formula 2 Championship before turning to touring cars.

He was the French touring car champion in 1995 and won the British title in 2003 while competing in the Italian and German touring car championships along his journey.

Muller has also made a huge impact in ice racing, winning 10 Andros Trophy crowns and several victories in the Chamonix 24 Hour race.

Citroen team boss Yves Matton paid tribute to Muller’s contribution to the touring car campaign.

“We will not forget his contribution. Coming in from rally driving, we had everything to learn, and he has always been more than happy to offer the team the benefit of all his experience,” Matton said.