Yvan Muller close to third title: ‘My work is to win the championship”

Chevrolet team-mates Yvan Muller and Rob Huff go head to head for the 2011 World Touring Car Championship drivers’ title tomorrow. Last year, Muller had already wrapped up his second world title and didn’t need to put himself on the line at the Macau circuit, but there’s no such luck for the 42-year-old Frenchman this time. This year, Muller says he’s ready for a good fight and that he’ll try his best to retain the title, but team-mate Huff will also be going flat out around the streets of Macau as he aims to land his first ever WTCC title.

You’re filing for a third title in the WTCC and you’re 20 points ahead your team-mate, Rob Huff, going into this final round...Are you confident you can clinch the title here in Macau?

I really have no idea. It’s not easy to fight for a title here in Macau and many things can happen. It’s true that I have twenty points of advantage and it’s better to have it in my pocket than not to have any, but Macau is very special a place. A lot can happen here. The forecast plans some rain and that would bring some new difficulties to the game. We will see, but I will do my best.

Huff is generally a tough driver here in Macau. He has won at least one leg in the past three years... Are you concerned?

For sure. Rob was always a tough guy here in Macau, but...you know, when you come to Macau and you don’t race for the title it’s a little bit different. But of course, he has nothing to lose and therefore he will be hard to beat. I am not looking for a race victory. I am looking only for the championship. That’s why it is a bit different when you play for the title instead of driving for a race win.

Huff wrote a chronicle in the British newspaper ‘The Sun’ stating that he won’t go down without a fight. Is it the same with you?

Of course it is. You know, I am a driver, my work is to win races and to win the championship and I will surely give my best.
 
And have you got any special strategy to make enough points to retain your title?

No, no. I just want to be as quick as I can, stay on the road without crashing and then we will see the results at the end.

Chevrolet has already claimed the Manufacturers’ Title and only two Chevrolet drivers are in contention for the WTCC Drivers’ Title. Is it the team to beat?

Yes, absolutely. After we won last year both titles, the manufacturers and the drivers’ championship, we won again this year. But we did also the top three. At the moment, no other Chevrolet drivers besides me and Rob Huff will fight for the victory, but Alain Menu will probably keep his third place as well. Besides, we already claimed the Manufacturers’ Title. So, it’s all good for Chevrolet and I am very pleased for it and, of course, we will do our best next year as well. We will probably be the team to beat. We have been already working for a few months in the preparation of the next season and we will seek to work and progress even more during winter.       

P.T.