Jason Plato has said he hopes arch rival Yvan Muller wins this year’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship title.

Vauxhall driver Muller is 16 points behind Team Halfords Honda driver Matt Neal in the current standings, with Plato in a distant fourth in his SEAT and admitting defeat.

But Plato believes that Muller – who he fell out with when they fought for the 2001 title as Vauxhall team-mates – deserves to succeed because the Frenchman has driven better than Neal.

Plato, who won the 2001 crown, said: “Matt Neal might not like this but he’s not in the same league as Yvan Muller.

“Yvan is in a different class and, if he was in that Honda, he’d have been much quicker than Matt and long gone.

“Matt’s car is so good he’s nowhere near the limit in the races, whereas Yvan’s always on the ragged edge.

“If it goes down to the last lap at Brands Hatch in October I know who’d I’d put money on – Yvan.”

Plato has heaped praise on Team Dynamics – the privateer outfit that has built and developed the Team Halfords Hondas against the might of Vauxhall and SEAT.

But he added: “I’m not taking anything away from the team and what they’ve built – it’s a fabulous car. But Matt really should have had the title sewn up by now.

“I’d like to see Yvan win because he’s put in stellar performances every time he’s got in the car.

“If Team Halfords loses the championship or lets Yvan get a whiff of a chance, then more fool them.”