Triple World Touring Car Champion and current series leader Yvan Muller will partner nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb at Citroën next year, the French manufacturer confirmed today.
Muller has been linked with the French team for several months, having openly spoken to the marque. He tested the team’s new C-Elysée at Paul Ricard recently, fuelling specualtion that he was about to join the team.
The announcement means that Citroën will become the third manufacturer that the touring car legend has driven for in the WTCC, with Muller having previously driven for SEAT between 2006 and 2009 (where he took one title) and Chevrolet from 2010 to 2013 (where he has taken two titles and is likely to secure a third crown in 2013).
“It will be a real honour to represent Citroën Racing from 2014,” said Muller of his forthcoming switch. “As a rally fan, I have always followed Citroën and Seb’s victorious seasons in WRC with interest. It’s fantastic that a brand with such a terrific record is getting involved in a category where it still has everything to learn.
“This isn’t the first time I have joined a team that doesn’t have a lot of experience in the discipline it is racing in. It’s nice to be able to go beyond my role as a driver by offering the benefit of my knowledge and making an active contribution to building a successful team.”
Citroën have not yet announced whether they will run only a two-car effort or if they will add a third or fourth car for additional drivers. Pole Robert Kubica has been linked to the team for selected races in 2014, and is known to be helping the manufacturer with their development program.
Managing Director of Citroën Racing, Yves Matton, says that the signing of Muller is part of Citroën’s ethos of always having the best-possible drivers in it’s team. With Muller having broken every WTCC record going, including most wins, podiums, pole positions, fastest laps, points and laps led, he was the logical choice for the team.
“Throughout its history, be it in cross-country rallies or WRC, Citroën Racing has always sought to recruit the best drivers,” said Matton. “We have set ambitious goals for our new challenge in WTCC, and the arrival of a driver as experienced as Yvan will help us to make rapid progress. He has shown this season that he is at the peak of his powers and that his thirst for wins has never been greater.
“He will also be an excellent point of reference for Sébastien Loeb. The two men are from the same region and have known each other for a long time. Their mutual respect will create a natural cohesion within the team.”