Sprinter goes marathon

Jörg Müller began his motorsport career following the classical story line - in a kart. Having been bitten at a very young age by the motorsport bug, the gifted youngster dreamed only of becoming a professional race driver. Innumerable victories and championship karting titles confirmed that the professionally trained motorbike mechanic was destined for higher challenges.

In 1988, Müller competed in the German Formula Ford Championship. A season later, he switched marquees and secured his first racing series championship title at the age of 28 by winning the 1989 German Opel Lotus Challenge.

By 1990, it was clear to observant on-lookers that Müller's easy and natural disposition was being put to good use on the race track. He not only pocketed the Formula Ford Championship title and finished fifth in the fiercely-contested German Formula 3 Championship, but also gave enthusiasts some spectacular, if not unconventional and grassy performances.

After victory at the prestigious 1991 Monaco Formula 3 Grand Prix under the watchful eyes of Formula 1 team bosses, it seemed that Jörg Müller's career was poised for take off. But a season haunted by seemingly unsolvable technical problems in the German Formula 3 championship netted a disappointing seventh overall, resulting more in frustration than success.

By 1993, many had given up on the highly-motivated racing professional. Nevertheless, Müller made the best of a bad situation. Lacking in funds, he started at only four German Formula 3 Championship rounds, but managed to cross the finish line first at one race. Then, after a stunning performance against the world's best, he romped first over the finish line at the Formula 3 World Championship in Macau.

Finally, after 11 wins in 1994, Müller captured the elusive and long-awaited German formula 3 Championship title.

For the following two years, Müller displayed his aptitude at handling touring cars driving as a BMW works driver in the German Super Touring Championship. Another career highlight came in 1996 when Jörg clinched the European Formula 3000 Championship with the team of his mentor, Dr. Helmut Marko.

The freshly-crowned European champion looked forward to a seat in Formula 1, but his hopes were dashed at the last moment before the 1997 season began. This proved to be a fortunate turn of events for the Arrows-Yamaha team, however. In need of a test driver, they grabbed the technically-experienced German with both hands.

In February this year, Müller gave an impressive performance at the Daytona 24 Hours, piloting a Porsche 911 GT1 to class victory and second overall placing. In addition to his main commitment as a Porsche works driver for 1998, Jörg Müller is also contracted as test driver for the Sauber Formula 1 Grand Prix team. Time permitting, he'd also like to drive in a couple of U.S. Indy league races.

Jörg Müller - Personal:

Born: September 3, 1969 in Kerkrade (NL)

Lives in: Monaco (MC)

Family status: single

Hobbies: squash, windsurfing, snowboarding

Favorite dish: Steak

Favorite drink: mineral water

Favorite music: Pop

Favorite reading: car magazines

Favorite film actor: Bruce Willis

Dream job if not racing driver: fireman

Most beautiful place on earth, favourite cities: the Maldives

Impressive people outside racing: sleigh racer Georg Hackl

Dream rival: Uwe Alzen

Favorite track in a GT: Spa Francorchamps

Best Porsche experience: winning the Daytona 24 Hours

Jörg Müller - Career:

1982-1987:	Karting, diverse championship titles
1988:	German Formula Ford Championship
1989:	1st place German Opel Lotus Challenge
1990:	1st place European Formula Ford Championship 5th place German Formula 3 Championship
1991:	1st place Formula 3 Grand Prix in Monaco
1992:	7th place German Formula 3 Championship
1993:	German Formula 3 Championship Formula 3 champion in Macau
1994:	1st place German Formula 3 Championship (11 wins)
1995:	BMW works driver (ADAC German Super Touring Championship)
1996:	1st place European Formula 3000 Championship BMW works driver (ADAC German Super Touring Championship)
1997:	Formula 1 test driver Arrows-Yamaha Nissan works driver at Le Mans 24 Hours
1998:	Porsche works driver in the FIA GT Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours Formula 1 test driver for Sauber-Petronas