Rickard Rydell has announced that he will s💜it out the 2010 season following the loss of his World Touring Car Championship drive.

Rydell lost his role with SEAT when the Spanish marque elected to quit the champ🎃ionship but had been linked to drives both in the WTCC and elsewhere following the announcement.

However, the Swede has now confirmed that he will take a sabbatical during the year ahead although he will act as a pundit for the Viasat Motor cha𒅌nnel on i🍸ts coverage of the Swedish Touring Car Championship.

"SEAT withdrew the factory team from the WTCC during the winter and I fe🎀lt early that I would not find another drive that would meet my requirements," he said. "The most important thing for me is to race with a competitive car capaꦉble of fighting for victories and championships. If the right drive will be available next year I would be more than happy to return to touring cars.

"For many years I have had up to 200 days of travelling and it will be great to spend more time at home. I also look forward to work with Viasat Motor again, wh𒉰ich is one of a few things I will do in 2010 instead of being a racing driver."