Stoddart: difficult being out of F1

The Australian, who has had a difficult time after selling his team to Red Bull following the multi-million pound losses built-up on his new OzJet airline, is expected to make a return to the F1 paddock in Melbourne this weekend.

Speaking to The Age newspaper, Stoddart said that it had not been easy turning his back on the sport - and has said he is looking at any opportunity that would allow him to make a return.

"I miss it, and I miss it badly," he said. "I would like to think that all kinds of opportunities could be there, if not in '06 or '07 but in '08.

"It's been very hard already. I had my phone switched off for the first GP trying not find out the result in Bahrain."

Stoddart's final months in F1 were dominated by friction with FIA president Max Mosley, as the battle for the sport's future and survival by the independent teams was played out in a public war of words.

And although the F1 manufacturer breakaway threat appears to be receding, Stoddart is still critical of Mosley's approach to F1.

"I am kind of sad to see that the politics are worse than they have everbeen at any time," Stoddart said. "I had hoped we would get to a point where we would see a new Concorde Agreement signed and unity between the independents and the manufacturers and Bernie Ecclestone and the banks but sadly at this time, we have Mad Max (Mosley) back in charge."