After 11 hugely successful FIA World Touring Car Championship seasons, Yvan Muller will officially sign off from the WTCC when the 2016 campaign concludes in Qatar later this month.
Rob Huff, who has raced against Muller during each of those 11 seasons, describes him as “best of the best”, while José María López, Muller’s Citroën team-mate, said the Frenchman is “the greatest.”
“In my eyes there’s no doubt that Yvan is probably the best touring car driver that we’ve ever seen,” says factory Honda racer Huff. “You look at his history in British Touring Cars alone and then add World Touring Cars to it, he’s the best of the best. He’s also one of the best guys on the grid to fight with. He’s very, very fair and I’ve had some of the best battles that I’ve ever had in touring cars with Yvan. It’s been wonderful racing against him and I wish him all the best in the future.”
Like Huff, Tom Coronel has also raced against Muller extensively in the WTCC and said Muller should consider entering his successful Yvan Muller Racing team into the world championship when he calls time on his driving career.
“He should stay because he’s a WTCC expert,” Coronel reckons. “He’s strong in everything we do in our series. He knows the tyres, the strategy and he could be a good coach. I understand his decision because racing absorbs a lot of energy but somehow we should see him back in the WTCC.”
Of Muller’s on-track exploits, Coronel adds: “He’s a very clean and fair driver but he doesn’t give any presents. He’s tough, he’s strong and he’s clever. I’ve had many battles with him.”
Muller joined Citroën for the 2014 season as a four-time WTCC champion but has been unable to make it a record-extending fifth crown, thanks largely to López, who has claimed the world title for the last three seasons. “He’s a great champion, a great team-mate, the greatest in the WTCC,” says the Argentine.