DARIO Franchitti is leaving America to move back to Scotland.

The racing driver, who split from his wife Ashley Judd in January last year, said he would permanently base himself in his native country once again. It comes just six months after he broke his back in a crash during the final lap of the IndyCar Grand Prix of Houston.

It was reported that he will move back in to the home in Port of Menteith which he and Judd bought in 2004. It had been put on the market for £3.8 million in 2012 but has since been withdrawn from sale.

Franchitti told fans on the www.motorsport.com website: "I'm commuting here from Scotland. I'm moving back home to Scotland."

He added that the plan was to make it a permanent move. Franchitti quit racing after the injury he suffered last year and is still seeing specialists as he continues his recovery. "Some days are more challenging than others - some days it really sucks," he said.