Gascoyne has unfinished business in F1

Gascoyne was dropped by Force India at the end of last year, having spent two seasons as its chief technical officer, and is this weekend working for the BBC as a temporary stand-in for the absent Eddie Jordan.

He is viewing the switch to behind the microphone as a one-off for now, however, and has admitted that he is looking for an opening to make a return to a technical role in the sport.

"I don't think F1 is out of my system yet," Gascoyne, who has also worked for Toyota and Renault in recent years, told AUTOSPORT. "In some respects the last couple of years were very difficult and I don't think I would like to leave Formula 1 with that as the end of the game.

"In some ways, having had a difficult couple of years I am probably more motivated than when I left Toyota to actually want to leave on a high note, rather than a sour one.

"I don't necessarily need to have the top job to fit into any team and contribute. As you get older and wiser your ego mellows and you don't necessarily need to be the top guy, so we will just have to wait and see what happens. And at the end of the day, does anyone want you?"

Gascoyne has said he would happily become a consultant for a team if no full-time opportunities were available.

"There are new regulations, and there are some teams struggling with the new aero rules which is an area where I have done very well in the past.

"I would consider coming in as an advisor and consultant to help the existing guys and maybe help people jump forward then I could step back. That would be interesting as well."