Yvan Muller receives FIA WTCC Champion’s trophy

Yvan Muller collected his third FIA World Touring Car Championship Drivers’ trophy in New Delhi on Friday, with Chevrolet team-mates Rob Huff and Alain Menu also collecting their awards for finishing second and third in this year’s Championship.

The 42-year-old Frenchman matched Andy Priaulx’s record this season by taking his third title, with the climax of the season a close battle at Macau with British team-mate Rob Huff.

“I am not especially keen on thinking of records, but I admit that this was a record season in terms of results,” said Muller. “What more should I ask for? My third title, the second in a row for Chevrolet. A great year!”

“I have signed with Chevrolet for one more year. It will be my third season with them. I am pleased to race with them and I hope to stay there a bit more. And I will start next year with the goal to win a fourth world title. Nobody has done it before in WTCC and it would be nice to do it. After all, my fellow Alsatian countryman Sébastien Loeb has won eight WRC titles.”

Chevrolet Europe Racing Manager Eric Nève picked up the manufacturers’ award with Chevrolet winning their second consecutive title in the WTCC.

“The team worked very hard to achieve it and the key to our success was to start testing so early with the new 1.6-litre turbo engine,” said Nève. “This gave us the edge at the beginning of the season and we were able to create a gap that proved crucial when our competitors improved in the later races. It is also very rewarding to see our three drivers filling the Championship podium. They are among the best touring car racers worldwide and we have to thank them for the great professional job they have done.”

Chevrolet’s 2011 Championship celebratory video