Volkswagen has confirmed that it will return to the Intercontinental Rally Challenge for the fourth round of the season – the Sata Rally Azores – next month.

Julien Maurin will be at the wheel of a Polo S2000 run by the Rene Georges Rally Sport team, with a gravel test planned in France ahead of the event.

"I am happy to confirm that Volkswagen will return to the IRC with the young French driver Julien Maurin,” team co-ordinator Jack de Keizjer said. 
”He recently tested the Volkswagen Polo in Belgium on asphalt."

Maurin retired from the Monte Carlo Rally in January when his Astra Racing Fiat Grande Punto developed a mechanical fault and is set to use the latest evolution Volkswagen Polo for his six-event programme.

Maurin will contest six rounds of the IRC in Azores, Belgium (Ypres), Madeira, Czech Republic (Barum), Spain (Astrurias) and Italy (Sanremo).