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.