Yahoo Autos Abt Cupra confirms Mueller departure
Abt Cupra has confirmed that Nico Mueller will depart the team following this weekend’s London E-Prix.
Although the German outfit was keen to retain Mueller for next season, it confirmed that he “has decided to take on a new motorsport challenge and leave the team”.
“It was our wish to keep Nico in the team and to be successful with him again. Now we have to accept his decision and wish him all the best for the future”, said Abt CEO and team principal Thomas Biermaier. “On behalf of the whole team, I would like to thank Nico for his commitment and dedication.
“Of course we would all have liked to have seen more success, but even in these difficult times he has always led the way and shown strong performances. Nico remains part of the Abt family and is always welcome here.”
Mueller has driven for the team for the last two Formula E seasons, taking a best race result of fourth in the second race of the Misano E-Prix this season. He also twice finished as championship runner-up in DTM during a five-year stint with the team in the German touring car series.
He has comprehensively outperformed his more experienced teammate, 2016-17 champion Lucas di Grassi, this season, beating him eight times over the 12 races they have raced in together (Mueller was absent from the Berlin double-header due to World Endurance Championship commitments). He is currently 10 places ahead of him in the championship.
“This is going to be a very special weekend for me,” said Mueller. “On the one hand I’m looking forward to the location, the track and the fans. On the other hand, I feel melancholy and a lot of gratitude after two years in this team.
“It was an extremely challenging time, but it also brought us closer together. We’ve always pulled together and I’m sure this is what we will be doing in London for the last time. We want to give it our all with the whole team, enjoy the days and try to get two good results.
Mueller has got the upper hand over di Grassi (front) this season. Simon Galloway/Motorsport Images
“London is a cool track – very tight, with indoor and outdoor sections and walls, as we know from Formula E. I will give everything to make the team proud again one more time.”
Mueller was linked with a mid-season move to TAG Heuer Porsche to replace Antonio Felix da Costa earlier this season after reportedly testing with the team. But a dramatic upturn in form for da Costa, where he took four wins, including the last three consecutively – and a fifth that was later stripped due to a technical infringement – has seen him remain.
When approached by RACER, Porsche wouldn’t be drawn on the link to Mueller, but confirmed that both da Costa and Pascal Wehrlein are contracted with the team.
“Antonio and Pascal are both contracted to us as Porsche works drivers,” the manufacturer said in a statement. “However, we will announce our Season 11 driver line-up at a later stage and for the time being not comment on any further speculations.
“As we are in the mix for all three titles, we are fully focused on the London E-Prix next week.”
Abt, meanwhile, has told RACER that the first of its drivers for next season – where it will team up with Lola and Yamaha – will be announced in the next two weeks, with its other coming later on.
Elsewhere in the paddock, Mueller’s Peugeot WEC teammate Stoffel Vandoorne is reportedly on his way out of DS Penske after two seasons with the team, although a team spokesperson told RACER “I cannot confirm or deny anything at this moment,” regarding Vandoorne’s future.
Mueller will also leave the Peugeot WEC program at the end of this season, further fuelling talk of a move to Porsche, which also competes in the Hypercar class of the sports car series.
