Yvan Muller rues joker lap mistake for lost podium

Cyan Racing driver Yvan Muller lamented a mistake during his joker lap in the final FIA WTCR race at Vila Real which cost him a potential podium finish.

The four-time champion started from the reversed grid pole position and pulled up a strong lead before a first safety car session.

“Vila Real was tough, I pushed hard the three first laps and had a gap to Tassi,” Muller said after the race.

The safety car was called into action after an incident involving the Hondas of Tiago Monteiro and Esteban Guerrierri, causing Muller to lose the advantage he had over second placed Attila Tassi (Honda).

“Unfortunately, the safety car came on track and I lost all of my advantage,” explained the Cyan Racing driver. “After the restart, I pulled up a gap again in a couple of laps.”

Muller braked too late when heading into the joker lap, losing three positions to Tassi, Zengo Motorsport’s Rob Huff and Hyundai’s Mikel Azcona.

“Tassi went on the joker lap and I decided to go as well, but I locked up the front wheel and I went straight, so I lost too much time and that cost me the podium,” said Muller.

“It was my mistake and I’m sorry for the guys in the team.”