Nico Muller says that his choice to go away the Abt Method E crew was fuelled by the necessity for a “new problem” as he seems to be poised to affix Andretti.
The Swiss driver is in his second marketing campaign with the German squad, having joined from Dragon in the beginning of the 2022-23 season.
Regardless of Abt struggling for outright tempo throughout these two years, partially as a result of Mahindra powertrain which it’s going to ditch for subsequent season, Muller has put in some spectacular performances.
This has included 4 factors finishes up to now this season, whereas placing 2016/17 champion and team-mate Lucas di Grassi within the shade for a lot of the marketing campaign.
However on Tuesday, Abt confirmed that Muller could be leaving the crew on the finish of the season regardless of wanting to maintain the 32-year-old onboard.
“We’ve progressed collectively, typically it’s nonetheless been a troublesome couple of years,” Muller instructed Autosport. “It’s not the place this crew belongs I believe, they will do higher than that however clearly the package deal was what it was.
Nico Muller, ABT CUPRA Method E Group, M9Electro
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
“We have pulled by means of these powerful occasions collectively and grown even nearer collectively as a household, and it’s been a really tough choice to go away.
“It’s type of a second household, something however straightforward, however I really feel like I’m on the level of my profession the place I’m prepared for a brand new problem. One which I need to take up on and attempt to maximise, and clearly you may’t do every little thing on the identical time, in order that was one of many penalties.”
Muller’s kind caught the attention of Porsche, with the German producer working Muller in a personal take a look at session earlier this season as Antonio Felix da Costa struggled for outcomes.
However with da Costa having taken 4 wins from the final 5 races, it’s believed Porsche will preserve the Portuguese driver for subsequent season.
Consequently, Muller is known to be shifting to Porsche buyer crew Andretti as an alternative the place he’ll substitute Norman Nato and companion reigning champion Jake Dennis.
When requested if he was remaining on the Method E grid subsequent season, Muller replied: “I positively really feel like I’ve unfinished enterprise right here”, earlier than including with a shrug “I don’t know” when requested if he could be becoming a member of Andretti.
Muller will also step down from driving with Peugeot within the World Endurance Championship. As was the case this 12 months between FE Berlin and WEC Spa, there will probably be one other conflict subsequent season between the 2 championships.
#93 Peugeot Totalenergies Peugeot 9X8: Jean-Eric Vergne, Mikkel Jensen, Nico Muller
Photograph by: Emanuele Clivati | AG Photograph
“I’m not persevering with with Peugeot after the top of this season,” mentioned Muller. “That doesn’t imply that the WEC door is totally shut, it’s nonetheless open. I really feel very privileged to have the ability to do each in the intervening time, I like each championships.
“I positively see myself doing each someday down the street sooner or later but when that’s going to be once more throughout the identical 12 months, I don’t know in the intervening time.”