Nico Müller: "An outstanding feeling".
AS A DTM LEADER AND FATHER IN HAPPINESS Nico Müller takes stock after ten of 18 DTM races in 2020. In the interview, the man from Berne also talks about his relationship with his teammate and offers insights into his family life. The DTM squad has already completed more than half of the 2020 season. What's your interim conclusion? Nico Müller: "Very positive, of course. Four victories [...]
The DTM squad has already completed more than half of the 2020 season. What's your interim conclusion?
Nico Müller: "Very positive, of course. I and my crew managed four victories and it could even be more. I think that speaks for itself. I'm very happy with the work we've done as a team so far. Everyone is highly motivated and doing an excellent job. I simply feel comfortable in the car and can deliver. So it's been a very positive first half for me, which can be built on."
How does it feel to hold up the Swiss flag in the Parc Fermé?
Nico Müller: "It's an outstanding feeling. To be able to represent our small country on an international platform like the DTM is just great. It definitely makes me proud to be one of the Swiss race drivers flying our flag - alongside big names like Marcel Fässler, Sébastien Buemi and Neel Jani."
You've been on the podium in eight of the ten races so far. Are you annoyed by the two fifth places in between?
Nico Müller: "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't like that. Fifth place last Sunday in particular was annoying. Simply because I'm sure we would have won the race without the sensor problem. The car felt perfectly balanced. But technical problems are part and parcel. At the Lausitzring, on the other hand, others were smarter than us, especially the team from Munich. That has to be acknowledged and I can live with that."
Your teammate Robin Frijns is hot on your heels in the championship. How do you deal with the fact that you're both title contenders?
Nico Müller: "We really do have a very good relationship. That's atypical. I've never had anything like this before in my career, and then in the same team. We push each other extremely hard. It's not like there's a bad mood when one of us loses out. We have two such strong crews in the team and whoever does the better job simply deserves it. That's a very healthy basis from my point of view. I think right now our good relationship in the team contributes to our strength."
How do you deal with being the hunted?
Nico Müller: "In fact, it doesn't feel like that to me. For me, René Rast as the reigning champion is still the one to beat. Together with his team, he has done an impressive job over the last three years. Even if he's not leading the championship at the moment, he's always up there. We still have four weekends to go. A lot can still happen there."
You have confidently refuted the rumor that racing drivers who have already become fathers are slower. Has anything changed in your job since the three of you started?
Nico Müller: "I think we were able to prove that the opposite is more the case. From my point of view, the past first DTM weekend at the Nürburgring was the strongest I've ever delivered. I rather think that our happiness with Fynn is more inspiring than anything else. I've never felt as grounded as I currently do. And I'm very thankful to have such a beautiful little family at home that perfectly supports me in my passion. So I'm sure it makes me feel better rather than worse."
Is motorsport a taboo subject in your home, given the short time you spend at home?
Nico Müller: "No, we talk about it a lot. Sometimes too much. I think that's also necessary to process what's happened. Be it positive or negative. I often sit down with Vicky or my parents, who live right next door, one or two days after the races in the evening. And then we also talk about what happened. They're all extremely excited and probably more nervous than I am on the weekends."
What do your next few weeks look like?
Nico Müller: "It remains very intense. This weekend, the next important DTM races on the Nürburgring sprint circuit are on the agenda. After that, I'll probably stay in the Eifel right away, as the 24 Hours on the Nordschleife follow. They're always a highlight for me. My goal is to fight for overall victory again after our success in 2015. Only after that will I have my first weekend off since the DTM opener at the beginning of August, before we'll be racing at Zolder again on the second weekend in October."
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