Photo: WTCC Media

Yvan Muller humbled by José María López’s victory gesture

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Yvan Muller won his first race of the 2016 season in Japan after José María López handed him the lead of the race with just over a lap to go in the main race, with López aiding the Frenchman’s bid for second in the drivers’ championship in the process.

López, who only needed to finish ahead of Honda’s Tiago Monteiro in the main race to secure his third WTCC drivers’ title, gifted the victory to his team-mate and championship rival of the past two years, with Muller himself mathematically ruled out of the championship hunt following the second race.

“It was not an easy decision,” said López. “It’s not easy for me to give up a win. I also know they’re fighting for the championship, and I don’t really want to get involved, but it was more a gesture to Yvan,” he explained.

“I hope he doesn’t take it the wrong way, which is why it was a bit difficult to take the decision, as I was thinking maybe it would be seem disrespectful to him.

“I wanted to show my respect for him as he’s a great champion, and a great team-mate. We’ve had a fair fight these three years. I wanted to win (the race) and hear my national song on the podium…but I didn’t know if I would have an opportunity to say thank you to him other than this (way), because as a racing driver he knows how difficult it is to give up a race victory, and this is to say thank you to Yvan, you are a great champion and still the greatest in the WTCC.”

Muller, whose fight for second in the standings against the three Honda drivers was bolstered by the victory, said it was rare in motorsport for such a gesture from a driver, and that it was not a team order.

“I think it was a very good gesture, I’d like him to do some more,” joked Muller to TouringCarTimes. “We had discussed the possibility yesterday. In Argentina, I decided myself to give him help (for the race win) and he wanted to give it back,” he added.

“It’s very rare this kind of gesture in motor racing, and I’m pleased there’s that team spirit in Citroen. José and I showed we have a great team spirit and showed the admiration there is in the team.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSzT7Ootmv8