Time and again, Sven Müller pumps his fist in the air in front of camera crews and photographers. The last seven days were perhaps the most important in his life. After winning the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland title last weekend, the 24-year-old German has now taken home the crown of the international Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. On Sunday, Müller clinched eighth position at the season finale run as support to the Formula 1 race in Austin/Texas to secure the coveted title. Sven Müller is just the fifth driver in the history of the Porsche one-make series to win a national Cup and the international Supercup in the same season. Competing for Lechner MSG Racing, he climbed the Supercup podium eight times, three times as the winner in Spielberg, Silverstone and Budapest, and every time with a delighted fist pump, of course.
Müller was born in Mainz, Germany, and grew up in the town of Bingen on the Rhine. At the age of 11 he contested his first kart race before switching to single-seaters in 2011. But until a week ago he had never won a title, and now he has two. With a cheer and pumping his fist in the air after crossing the finish line, he thanked his team boss Walter Lechner, hugged his engineer Michael Rühs and celebrated with his chief mechanic Phil Brandes. Müller is a team player who knows that a top performance needs perfect synergy between a team and driver.
Müller dreams of climbing the podium at Le Mans
In the 24-year history of the series, Müller is just the fifth person to become champion in a national Porsche makes cup as well as the flagship series in one season. Others who achieved this feat were Frank Stippler, René Rast, Philipp Eng and Earl Bamber. After securing his Supercup title, Bamber went on to claim victory at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans just a few months later. Müller says: “Of course it’s my dream to climb the podium at Le Mans one day. To win a title is simply an important stepping stone in a career. I’m thrilled to have won both the Carrera Cup and the Supercup.”
Müller’s love of motorsport was laid in the cradle by his father Michael. Müller Senior contested VLN races and even scored class victory at the 24-hour race in Dubai. When time allows, both parents accompany their offspring to race events. As a tribute to his mother, Anouk Müller-Meia, his helmet always displays the Swiss flag. And the two-time champion’s fluent French is also thanks to his Swiss mother, who is originally from Neuchatel.
Müller has given another demonstration of his fighting spirit in Austin
“Sven’s a real fighter. He has a very strong will to win and he grabs every chance to overtake,” coach Sascha Maassen says about the Porsche junior, who has just finished the most successful year of his career so far. “He gave another impressive demonstration of his fighting spirit here in Austin, since his grid positions weren’t the best.”
Two titles in one year – what’s next for the race driver? “The major long distance classics are beckoning,” says Müller. “Daytona, Sebring, Nürburgring, Le Mans – it’s my dream to join the list of winners.” If he succeeds, there is one thing the fans can count on: they’ll definitely witness Müller’s characteristic fist pump.
