Marcus Gronholm could return to the World Rally Championship later this year for a series of one-off drives.

The two-time world champion retired from the sport at the age of 39 following last year's Rally of Great Britain.

But, when asked at the Autosport International show in Birmingham if he would reverse his decision, he refused to rule out the possibility and said: "You never know about coming back for certain races this season.

"It's hard though, I need to be in the car with practice and can't really just turn up and race. It's actually dangerous to do that! So I have to think of that, we will see."

Gronholm's Ford seat has been taken by his fellow Finn Jari-Matti Latvala for this season, which begins at the end of the month with the Monte Carlo Rally.

He told eurosport.yahoo.com at the recent Race of Champions in London that he was looking forward to taking on an ambassadorial role for Ford and that he had no regrets about his decision to retire.

But his latest comments mean he could be in line to challenge for a record eighth victory on Rally Finland in the autumn.

"I'm happy about my decision, I had a good career. I won two championships," Gronholm added.

"I don't know how I will manage not being a rally driver but I think I will still be in the sport, help younger drivers and things like that."

Jamie O'Leary / Eurosport