The 31-year-old missed September’s Fuji event with a left clavicle injury and will be driving Peugeot’s No. 94 9X8 alongside Gustavo Menezes and Loic Duval for an eight-hour match at the Bahrain International Circuit on Saturday. He will take his usual position in the lineup.
The exact nature and cause of Muller’s injury was not disclosed, only that the Swiss driver had been advised by doctors to miss the Japanese round of the championship to allow for a full recovery.
Muller has now been given full permission to participate in the Bahrain 8 Hours. He tested for Valencia Formula E for Abt Cupra earlier this month, but this will be his first competitive appearance in any category since his injury in August.
Bahrain was Muller’s first appearance for Peugeot in 2022, with the then-Audi factory driver being called up to replace James Rossiter, who retired before a full season with the team.
“I’m very excited to get behind the wheel of the 9X8, get back to work with the whole team and give my best for the final race of the season,” Muller said.
“Hopefully we can finish with a good result and I’m sure we can do a good job. Of course, it hasn’t been an easy season for us, but we’ve shown potential and highlights here and there and we’ve had a good season. I hope the final match will be just as great.
“I go to Bahrain with good memories from my first official event with Peugeot last year. We can build on that experience, so we just went out there, gave everything we had and gave it our all. I hope something positive comes out of this.”
Photo credit: Paolo Belletti
#94 Peugeot Total Energy Peugeot 9X8: Loic Duval, Gustavo Menezes, Nico Muller
Stoffel Vandoorne, who replaced Muller in the Japan round of the championship and will replace Menezes in the full-time race seat in 2024, will be on track for the post-season rookie test on Sunday.
He is one of three drivers testing for Peugeot in Bahrain, along with reserve Marte Jacobsen and No. 93 race crew member Mikel Jensen.
Peugeot heads to Bahrain after a difficult race at Fuji. The two cars finished seventh and eighth, undoing the progress made by the French manufacturer in the previous two races, Le Mans and Fuji.
However, Peugeot Sport technical director Olivier Jeanthony is hopeful that the team can finish the season on a positive note.
“The Bahrain circuit is notorious for being taxing on the brakes and tires, especially when it comes to deterioration due to high track temperatures.
“Thanks to last year’s races and rookie tests, we have already gained experience and valuable data that can be very helpful in tire management.
“That’s one of the challenges in the eight-hour race and we know that the tire distribution is a little bit better than in the six-hour race, so it’s going to require different strategies for the teams.
“This circuit is very interesting, with technical sections and smooth sequences as well. There are many different factors in temperature management, and the eight-hour race, which is more difficult in terms of durability and tire management, is more difficult than it is for us. Very important for drivers.
“The goal for this final round is to maintain a level of reliability for both cars to race consistently and to be able to close in on the leaders and take advantage of racing opportunities that lead to good results.”