Photo: WTCC Media

Yvan Muller concerned about safety with 80kg handicap

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Citroën Racing’s Yvan Muller has slammed the new increase in compensation weight for the WTCC to 80kg as “a stupid decision”, and voiced concerns over safety races which will be heavier on the brakes and throughout the summer in hotter conditions.

Citroën still took pole position in France narrowly ahead of Honda’s Tiago Monteiro, with José María López winning the main race just ahead of the Honda driver, who had closed right up to the Argentinian at the finish after initially behind held back after Muller had managed to get the jump between them.

Muller was unconcerned over his results in France, with his first race ruined following a penalty for a jump start which the Frenchman admitted was entirely his fault, while he was knocked down to fourth by the two Hondas of Monteiro and Norbert Michelisz in the second race, which he didn’t find surprising considering the ballast the C-Elysée WTCC is carrying, and had other concerns about the new rules.

“The problem with the 80kg is with safety,” said Muller to TouringCarTimes. “We’re struggling at the end of the races with the brakes, and (at the moment) it’s not warm, so what will happen at a circuit when it’s hard for the brakes? it could be an issue.”

The four-time champion also said Citroën challenged the organisers over the winter about the new weight increase, the heaviest weight handicap in the WTCC’s history, which was only up to 40kg in the championship’s early years with the earlier and heavier TC2 class cars.

“Citroën have fought during the winter to say 80kg is too much, it’s dangerous, and (to the other manufacturers) don’t forget that can be you one day after two or three races. We said it’s too risky, it’s a stupid decision, but it’s like this.”

With Citroën carrying 80kg again this weekend while Chevrolet, Honda, Lada and Volvo will remain ballast free for one more race, Muller says it won’t be until the following weekend until the real performance of the teams will be seen.

“We have to see after Slovakia,” he said. “The real start of the season will be in Budapest…we have the 80kg at the moment so we’re not playing with the same tools or arms as the others.”