We show that the molecular motor ATP synthase has evolved in accordance with the statistical selection principle of Maximum Shannon Entropy and one of its corollaries, Maximum Entropy Production. These principles predict an optimal angular position for the ATP-binding transition close to the experimental value; an inverse relation between the optimal gearing ratio and the proton motive force (pmf); optimal operation at an inflection point in the curve of ATP synthesis rate versus pmf, enabling rapid metabolic control; and a high optimal free energy conversion efficiency. Our results suggest a statistical interpretation for the evolutionary optimization of ATP synthase function. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.