Photo: WTCC Media

LUKOIL confirmed as Yvan Muller’s sponsor

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Russian oil firm LUKOIL will back Yvan Muller’s championship challenge with RML this season, as the three-time champion competes without manufacturer support for the title for the first time.

In a widely anticipated move, LUKOIL will support Yvan Muller’s championship challenge with RML in the Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T, as well as Lada’s touring car programme with James Thompson and Aleksei Dudukalo.

“This year I will drive a Chevrolet supported by LUKOIL, and I think we have real opportunity to be champions another time,” said Muller.

LUKOIL has supported the WTCC for the past two seasons, with Gabriele Tarquini and Aleksei Dudukalo racing a pair of SUNRED SR Leóns in 2011 before the company switched to a SEAT Sport-assisted programme last year with an upgraded SEAT León WTCC.