Three-time Le Mans winner Dindo Capello has admitted that he may have retired from his last 24 Hours race at La Sarthe, after teammate Allan McNish crashed out of the race at the end of the first hour.
The Italian, who is 47 next week, said earlier this week that his future remained undecided for next year, but added that he hoped he would be able to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year.
"Actually there are already a lot of rumors about Le Mans being my last race, but we have a statement from Audi to forget that because it was a misunderstanding," he said. "But the agreement with my boss is that once he has a need to make room for someone younger, I have to be prepared and that is why I have not been involved in all the ILMS races this year. About next year, to be honest, I don't know. I will be 47 next week, as I said it would be great to end my career doing a world championship, but we will see."
Asked if he wished a world championship for prototype sports car had emerged earlier in his career, he replied: "For me yes because you know next year I don't know if I will be involved in the championship or not.
"I am close to the end of my career, and for sure it would be nice to end the career doing a world championship. But I know it will not be easy. From my side it would have been nice if it could have happened a little earlier."
It is understood that Audi has yet to make a decision on its driver structure for 2012 and a return to Le Mans can not be ruled out for Capello.