23 September 2013

WTCC: Muller clinches fourth world title

By finishing third in Suzuka's Race 1, Yvan Muller become the FIA World Touring Car Champion for an unprecedented fourth time.

This was also the fifth consecutive Drivers' Championship won by the Chevrolet cars run by the RML Group. It was also the more special for Muller as one month before the beginning of the season, he didn't have a drive.

Muller will join Citroen and Sébastian Loeb in 2014. He had already won the WTCC title in 2008 for SEAT Sport, 2010 and 2011 for Chevrolet.

However, in the first race, Norbert Michelisz claimed victory. It is the first of the season for him and a special one for Honda on its home racetrack. Behind him, Alex MacDowall rejected the assaults of Muller who was determined to celebrate in style his fourth Drivers' Championship title.

The second race was enlivened by an-all BMW duel between Mehdi Bennani and Tom Coronel. Eventually the Dutchman got the better with a brilliant overtaking manoeuvre, while Tiago Monteiro gave Honda another podium result.

The championship will resume after a five-week break for rounds 21 and 22 that will take place at Shanghai, China on 3 November.