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BTCC Driver Profiles - Yvan Muller
Born:
16 August 1969
Lives:
Altkirch, France
Links: VX Racing |
Triple Eight
Simply one of the best drivers in any championship, Yvan finally won the BTCC in 2003 with a mixture of speed and consistency. He's famed for his ice racing and loves jet-skiing, and still rushes to the nearest airport at the end of every meeting to get back to Nice and his family. In November 2005 it was announced that he would be moving to the WTCC with SEAT Sport for '06.
Career highlights:
2006 Opened the year with another Andros Trophy, despite rules designed to slow him down. Forms part of SEAT Sport's six-car attack on the WTCC.
2005 BTCC with VX Racing, Astra Sport Hatch. Begain the season with his now-customary Andros Trophy, then went on to win the second race at Donington. The rivalry with Plato kicked off again at Thruxton when a tap from his old friend ensured Yvan's legendary car control skills would be called into service. Back on the podium at Brands Hatch and rounded the day off with a fine win, his second of the season. Would probably prefer to forget Oulton Park as Vauxhall struggled, but celebrated another victory at Croft, backed up by a 2nd place as the team got back to winning ways with a pair of 1-2 finishes. Won the opening race at Snetterton, a feat which he repeated at Knockhill but while in Scotland his driving came under scrutiny and two points were added to his race licence for some robust moves in race one. He was more circumspect in the second race but still came second; but race three was a disaster as a misfire caused his 2nd retirement of the year and gave championship rival Matt Neal a 30-point lead. A driveshaft failure at Silverstone effectively ended his title charge but he went to Brands with a slim mathematical chance. In true champion style he raced hard in the first round, but then a racing incident (ironically with Neal) in the second round put him out of contention when he picked up a puncture. His championship over, he got caught up in an accident in race three, and ended up with 273 points. He proved his versatility with a win in the Sandown 500 meeting in the Australian V8 Supercar series.
2004 BTCC with VX Racing, Vauxhall Astra Coupe. Lifted the Andros Trophy once more and has started his title defence with a win and two podiums at Thruxton. At Oulton Park he became the first driver to win two races in the same weekend under the new rules, but at Croft and Knockhill the car was off the pace, leading to some outspoken comments about his rivals. He was back on the podium at Brands, but took a battering not least from his team mate Hines. The championship tilted in favour of Thompson at Snetterton as Muller seemed to have his head down, and the pair arrived at Donington with everything to play for. Dropped behind as James won the first race, and lost the title by just one point despite winning the final race of the year. Fought hard all year to rack up 273 points, and will no doubt return even more hungry in 2005.
2003 BTCC with VX Racing, Vauxhall Astra Coupe. Rarely off the podium but courted controversy with a parc ferme bust-up with Anthony Reid leading to an 11-day ban. Overcame the challenge of team mate Thompson to finally win the Championship. Contested the final round of the ETCC for Seat but DNF'd both races.
2002 BTCC - Vauxhall - 2nd, narrowly missing out to James Thompson; Andros Trophy - Champion;
Chamonix 24-hour ice race; Bathurst 1000kms
2001 BTCC - Vauxhall - 2nd, missing out to Jason Plato; Andros Trophy - Champion
2000 BTCC - Vauxhall - 4th; Andros Trophy - Champion; Bathurst 1000km - 10th
1999 BTCC - Vauxhall - 6th; Andros Trophy - Champion
1998 BTCC - Audi - 7th; Andros Trophy - Champion
1997 German Touring Car Championship - Audi - 7th; Andros Trophy - Champion
1996 Italian Touring Car Championship - Audi - 4th; Andros Trophy - Champion; Le Mans 24 Hours - Ferrari
1995 French Touring Car Championship - BMW - Champion; FIA Touring Car World Cup - BMW - 4th
1994 French Touring Car Championship - BMW - 3rd; FIA Touring Car World Cup - BMW - 7th
1993 FIA European Formula 3000 Championship; Le Mans 24 Hours
1992 British Formula 2 Championship - Champion
1989-1991 French Formula 3 Championship - 3rd in 1989
1988 French Formula Renault Championship - 3rd
1987 Elf Winfield Racing School
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