You raced twice in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. What are your recollections of 1993 (at the wheel of a Debora SP 93) and 1996 (in a Ferrari 333 SP)?
They were great times and fantastic experiences. I had further opportunities to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, particularly in the very first Audi R8 prototype. I was to join one of the crews but, unfortunately, I had too much on my plate and had to call Dr Ullrich (Audi Sport Director) and pull out. I wasn’t in the best shape at the time and for a race like that, you need to be 100%. I’d already done Le Mans twice and knew what it was all about. I wanted to move on to other things. If I ever go back as a team principal (see part one), I’ll be absolutely delighted; but one thing’s for sure, I shan’t be going back as a driver!

You run your own team that will be competing in the European Le Mans Series for the first time and you still drive for Citroën Racing in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). Isn’t it difficult keeping so many balls in the air at once?
True, it is tough. And I have to admit that my driving career has suffered a bit over the last two or three years. Every year, I try and look for solutions to lessen my work load a bit. The young drivers, and their sponsors and parents, put a lot of faith in me and so I devote 80% of my energy to the team and not enough to me. As the years go by, I’m in increasingly good company with my backup team and am gradually learning to delegate. In 2016, I hope to be nearer to a fifty-fifty split between the team and my own driving career.

Is your aim to win your fifth WTCC title in 2016?
Yes, I’d love to do that. We shouldn’t overlook the fact that the team exists because of Yvan Muller, the racing driver. I’ve been runner-up in the world championship twice in the last two years (coming second to José María López), which isn’t something to be sniffed at. I know I still have what it takes to be world champion again. If I manage to free up more time, energy and mental strength, I think I can go out and win that fifth title. If I do, it will mean that I’m back to my best, but only time will tell.

Yvan Muller at Le Mans

1993: Debora SP93 for Didier Bonnet Racing, with Gérard Tremblay and Georges Tessier (retired due to engine failure in the final hour)
1996: Ferrari 333 SP for RocketSports with Andy Evans and Fermin Velez (ran out of fuel in the second hour).

David Bristol / ACO – Translated from French by David Goward

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 1996 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, TEST DAY. Yvan Muller has competed twice in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The last time was in 1996 at the wheel of the #18 Ferrari 333 SP.