RML aims for seventh WTCC Crown at Suzuka

Yvan Muller needs just 21 points from round 9 of the 2013 World Touring Car Championship to secure his 4^th drivers’ title and third in the Chevrolet Cruze.

Suzuka marks the start of the Asian tour and Muller knows that the title can be his and admits that he is feeling some extra pressure to secure his fourth title.

“In some ways yes, because the reward of a title is so much bigger but equally, my focus remains as it has been throughout the year – we need to perform the best that we can as a team and go out there to win,” explains the Frenchman.

The weekend marks another milestone for the FIA World Touring Car Championship; the second race at Suzuka marks the 200^th race since the inception of the series in 2005 and RML has secured Pole Position both times the series has visited the circuit with Alain Menu winning in 2011 and 2012 from Pole Position.

In the two years the WTCC has visited Suzuka, RML has taken 7 podium finishes with their Chevrolet Cruzes and 2012 saw them wrap up the Manufacturers title with over 800 points.

Muller can secure RML’s seventh WTCC title and he plans on adopting the same strategy as at all other circuits.

“We arrive at the last part of the WTCC with three races in Asia,” Muller adds. “The Drivers’ title can come back to me this weekend in Suzuka so, as in Sonoma two weeks ago; I will emulate the same strategy – to score as many points as possible.”

Having secured his maiden WTCC Pole Position and victory last time out at Sonoma Raceway, team-mate Tom Chilton is hoping for a repeat performance around the 2.24km Suzuka East circuit.

“I’m really looking forward to racing at Suzuka now I’m fully dialled in with the car,” explains Chilton. “It’s another technical little circuit and hopefully I can keep my winning streak up. I need to move up from 4th in the championship to 3rd this weekend if I’m to keep my goal of 2nd overall.

“Our Cruze is really suited to this type of circuit and I hope we can really use that to our advantage and close down on Tarquini this weekend, especially as they have just gained an extra 10kg of success ballast and are just 30kg lighter than us now,” concludes Chilton, who is 39 points off 2^nd in the Championship with six races to go.