One-off return for Yvan Muller at WTCC finale in Qatar

Yvan Muller, the most successful driver in the history of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, who retired from racing at the end of 2016, will return to competitive racing this weekend at WTCC finale in Qatar. Muller will drive a Volvo S60 for Polestar Cyan Racing, the team for which he works as an adviser.

Muller will replace Volvo regular driver Nestor Girolami to increase Swedish team’s chances to grab Manufacturers’ championship title in a fight against Honda. The current leader in drivers’ championship standings Thed Björk will drive another Volvo S60.

With two races remaining at the Losail International Circuit on Friday night, Thed Björk has 6.5 points more than Honda’s Norbert Michelisz. In the Manufacturers’ classification, Volvo Polestar leads with 12.5-point advantage over Honda.

In 2017, Muller was serving as Volvo development driver but the team now needs his help in a race

“I am glad to be back racing again after working hard together with the team during this season to get us in a double points lead ahead of the final race weekend. My objective is to help Thed become world champion and support Polestar Cyan Racing to deliver the world championship. It is going to be tough, but I have no doubt that we have what it takes to accomplish that in Qatar,” Muller said.

TheWTCC Race of Qatar begins with Free Practice 1 and 2 on Thursday (30 November) followed by Qualifying, Manufacturers Against the Clock (WTCC MAC3), the Opening Race and Main Race on Friday (1 December). The races are scheduled for 21:20and 22:35 local time.

Photos: FIA WTCC, Francois Flamand/DPPI,