Yvan Muller receives call-up to help Volvo’s title tilt in Qatar

Yvan Muller has been brought out of retirement this week by Polestar Cyan Racing in order to assist Volvo’s challenge to win both of the World Touring Car Championship’s drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles in Qatar.

The 48-year-old will drive one of the team’s three Volvo S60 TC1s at the Losail International Circuit, replacing the manufacturer’s Argentinian star Néstor Girolami, and will race with the #64.

Muller hasn’t raced since the 2016 season finale 12 months ago at the same circuit with Citroën, but has been present at the track with Volvo throughout the season in his role as both development driver and adviser to the Swedish manufacturer, and has also been involved in testing the S60.

“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,” said Muller. “My objective is to help Thed (Björk) become drivers’ champion and support Polestar Cyan Racing to deliver the manufacturers’ championship. It is going to be tough, but I have no doubt that we have what it takes to accomplish that in Qatar.”

Volvo drivers Thed Björk and Nicky Catsburg can both win the title this weekend, with Björk leading the standings by 6.5 points over Honda’s Norbert Michelisz, while Néstor Girolami, who took his first pole and victory last month in China, has been stood down to allow the team to field the four-time champion this weekend.

“I have accepted to give my place to Yvan,” said Girolami. “He is a legendary driver with more experience of the circuit in Qatar than me which will be vital in the very close season finale. I look forward to continue our work ahead of 2018 and will follow the season finale closely.”