Former BTCC champion Rickard Rydell has announced his retirement from racing ahead of the 2016 season.

”I have decided to not race in 2016 and at the same time quit all together as racing driver,” said Rydell.

The 48-year-old last drove selected races for Nika Racing in the 2016 FIA World Touring Car Championship and has got an extensive racing CV.

His major success came in 1998 with Volvo, securing the British Touring Car Championship title in one of the most competitive seasons ever. The same year saw him clinching the Bathurst 1000 victory with Jim Richards.

The Swede dipped his toe successfully in GT racing as well, claiming the 2007 Le Mans 24 Hours GT1 class victory for Aston Martin Racing. His final major title came in 2011 when securing the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship title for Chevrolet.

”For 20 consecutive years I have had contracts with a manufacturer. That is rare for a driver to represent manufacturers like Toyota, Volvo, SEAT and Aston Martin in major championships and races. It was also nice to return from 21 seasons of international racing to Sweden and the STCC,” said Rydell.

Rydell will instead focus his efforts on being driver coach for Swedish GP2 driver Gustav Malja and commentating motorsport on Swedish TV.

”It has been some amazing years as a driver. Now I am able to look forward to other projects and missions both within and outside of motorsport,” said Rydell.