Alain Menu would consider WTCC testing role

The Swiss has not yet confirmed any racing plans for 2013 since Chevrolet's factory withdrawal from the WTCC was announced in July.

"According to the paddock, I will be driving for Ford, Bamboo and Lada [in the WTCC], so I guess I have to make a decision soon," joked Menu in Macau last weekend.

Speculation has linked the former factory Chevrolet men to a role at Citroen, alongside multiple World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb, when the French manufacturer is expected to join the series in 2014.

Menu admitted a testing position with a manufacturer would be attractive if a 2013 WTCC race seat was not forthcoming.

"Of course, I love testing and developing," said Menu. "That was one of the strongest motivation points of joining RML and starting [the Chevrolet programme] with a clean sheet of paper.

"I don't know if it is possible to have a works drive developing a car and also race for a smaller team. I mean, who is else is coming other than Citroen? But a development year with a manufacturer, and do some races, would be a good solution at this stage of my career."

Menu said he would evaluate a move away from Europe for prolonging his career if required.

"So we have to wait around in airports, it's a good life," said Menu. "I looked for drives in Argentina next year but couldn't find anything. That's a great series, though, and if there's something available in America, then why not?"

Menu's championship assault was hit by power-steering failure when leading at Sonoma, a puncture at the Salzburgring, a broken wheel after contact in Slovakia and being punted out of the lead by team-mate Yvan Muller at Shanghai.

The former British Touring Car champion also remained irked by events at the season opener in Italy.

"In Monza we went against the agreement that we had," said Menu. "The deal was, if we hit our team-mate, which we should not do, we shouldn't capitalise.

"[Rob] and I were side-by-side and I was driven off the circuit. I finished the race sixth, so got points, but in theory when you are behind that is where you should stay. I had a very good season, but Sonoma, Shanghai, ding, ding, ding..."

Despite the misfortune, Menu was satisfied to finish his last race as a factory Chevrolet driver with a victory in Macau.

"It was a good way to end the season and eight years with RML," said Menu. "We had a very good year with car number eight and the boys, and with a little less bad luck, it could have been even better."