Casey Stoner says he has no plans to return to MotoGP
Casey Stoner insists he has no plans to return to MotoGP action, saying he cannot envisage ever having the urge to compete in the sport again
The two-time world champion left MotoGP at the end of 2012 and is now competing in the Australian V8 Supercars Development Series with crack squad Triple Eight, although there has been speculation he could make a two-wheel comeback as a wildcard entry later in the season.
Stoner however insists he cannot envisage having the urge to return to grand prix racing.
"At this point I can't ever see myself going back," Stoner told AUTOSPORT.
"I'm closed, I'm done with it. I can't see the championship going in the direction I want it to, where I think I'd enjoy riding the bikes enough again, to want to go back and deal with that."
Stoner admitted he continues to follow the sport, particularly as he has maintained close relationships with members from his old team, but says his absence has reinforced his conviction that MotoGP is now a closed chapter of his career.
"It's probably been more cemented," Stoner said when asked if not competing had affected his mindset.
"My mechanics and people are still in the team and I have a lot of respect for some of the riders out there, so I'll always watch with interest how they're going, make sure their injuries and things like that are going OK.
"But the fact is I haven't been dying to watch the races or find out the result straight away.
"I'm watching it as a fan now rather than being there, and it's not hurting me."
Stoner admitted that there were elements he missed, including the racing, but said it was not enough to compel him to consider a return.
"I miss the bike part of things," he added. "I maybe miss the team and the people I worked with, but that's about it.
"I miss being able to ride, but I can ride a bike anywhere, I don't need to go out there and do it.
"Honestly the rest of it was too far out for me to want to, or think about, going back."
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