Speaking to Class1uk Bard said: "As the president/chairman and executive industrial designer/founder of 4 companies; www.ekerdesign.com; www.projectiondesign.com, www.hydrolift.com and www.koenigsegg.com - I have my hands full of exiting working days."

"I am a guy that wants to be in the middle of everything and not hand it over to others. The 2004/2005 seasons of my C1 involvment have been very exciting - both on the sport side and the commercial side. I had a 3 year plan to achieve the World Championship, but did it on 2." he added.

With Bard announcing that he will take a step back from the driving seat it has emerged that former World Champion Bjorn Rune Gjelsten looks set to return as driver. Watch this space for more details.