Prost rules himself out of Jaguar frame

Jaguar is understood to be searching for a sporting director to act as a figurehead for the team. It axed former team principal Niki Lauda, a former team-mate of Prost, in November and is believed to have approached driver-turned-TV commentator Martin Brundle, who turned down the role.

Prost told Autosport.com: "I don't want to be rude, but I cannot see any point in going to a team like Jaguar. They have reduced their budget and the their staff. If I go there, I am going to be the one to have those problems. I am not interested in that."

Prost admitted that he wants to return to F1, despite the collapse of his grand prix team last year.

"I am still very interested by what is happening in Formula 1," he said. "I never stopped looking at what was happening and I've discussed it with a few people, constructors and key members. I wouldn't say I am completely out of the F1 business.

"If I had a good opportunity to be in a good team with a good ambience and having fun, they why not? At the moment those three parameters are not there for me to make the decision. I don't want to come back if I'm not going to be competitive or happy."