Yvan Muller has played down talk of him continuing in the World Touring Car Championship in 2017, with the Frenchman insisting that he does not plan to return for a full season of racing.
Following Citroën’s withdrawal from the WTCC at the end of the 2016 season, Muller was left without a drive for 2017, and consequently announced his retirement towards the end of the 2016 season.
Muller has however recently been seen testing a Volvo S60 with the Polestar Cyan Racing team, and as a result rumours began circulating about him continuing in 2017, especially as Polestar had yet to confirm their driver line-up.
He also runs his own racing team, Yvan Muller Racing, which will compete in the European Le Mans Series and the Michelin Le Mans Cup in 2017.
Now the 47-year-old has quashed any rumours of another full-time WTCC drive, insisting that he will not take part in a full-season programme in the coming year.
“For a few days, I’ve been reading a lot about myself,” said Muller in a statement. “To cut short any speculation, I recall that I announced at the end of last year my will to stop my racing career full-time. It was a well-considered choice and voluntary, and it is a decision that is still valid.
“I have absolutely no intention of repeating a full season as a driver, but I have always said that it is not impossible that I will drive again occasionally, when I feel like it. But today there is nothing planned.
“As for my professional future, it has been decided for a few months already, but the announcement will be made in due course.”