Young Frenchman Yann Ehrlacher will partner Argentine Esteban Guerrieri in an ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport Honda Civic Type R in the 2018 FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) in 2018.
Ehrlacher made his touring car racing début in the World Touring Car Championship in 2017, when he raced an independent RC Motorsport-run LADA for the season.
The 21-year-old sensationally scored a maiden win in Argentina mid-way through the season, and impressed many in the WTCC paddock.
Now Ehrlacher will go up against touring car legend and uncle Yvan Muller in 2018 when he partners Guerrieri at the German WTCR team.
“Following my first season in WTCC, the target was obviously to be at the start of the new WTCR,” said Ehrlacher. “I am really happy to have been chosen by ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport. It’s great news for me because it’s a very good team with a lot of experience in racing and in touring car in particular.
“With such a great package, the expectations will naturally be high, and my goal is to be among the title contenders this season, although I know that the competition will be tough. There is obviously more pressure than last year, but I’m ready.”
Ehrlacher admits that sharing the grid with four-time WTCC champion and uncle Muller will be a special moment for him.
“To race against Yvan will of course be a special moment for me. He’s my inspiration, he is the best driver in the world in a touring car, and I look forward to sharing the same starting grid as him.”
Münnich Motorsport Team Manager Dominik Greiner is looking forward to working with Ehrlacher, who is the son of former single-seater racer Cathy Muller.
“Logically we had several drivers on our list and the decision was not an easy one,” said Greiner. “But I feel that with Yann we at ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport have chosen the best package and we welcome him to our team.
“A very talented, fast and motivated driver who has gone through a great racing school via his mother and uncle, Yann already had some good moments last season and I hope he can continue like this in 2018. Yann and Esteban [Guerrieri] are already working professionally, hand-in-hand as team-mates so we are looking for a good season with them both.”
Eurosport Events Head François Ribeiro added that the announcement of Ehrlacher adds to the strength of the WTCR grid, with young talents and experienced hands fighting it out for the overall title in 2018.
“With every team announcement the momentum behind WTCR continues to grow and confirmation of ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport’s line-up is yet more good news,” added Ribeiro. “Team owner René Münnich has been a long-term advocate of world touring car racing and the support he extends to his team and its drivers is to be highly commended.
“Esteban and Yann are two drivers capable of winning races and challenging for the title based on their obvious ability and performances in the WTCC last season. With both drivers extremely competitive and closely matched I expect ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport to mount a strong challenge for the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO for Teams.”