Stoddart rules out 2006 involvement

The Australian has sold his outfit to energy drinks company Red Bull and the takeover is due to be completed on November 1. And although there were suggestions when the buy-out was first announced that Stoddart could retain some kind of link with the team, that has now been dismissed.

Speaking to Autosport-Atlas about his future, Stoddart said: "At the moment I have no offers. I do love the sport and, although you can never say never, you can only do something if someone wants you to do it. So until someone offers, asks, requests or whatever then you have to say I am out."

When asked whether he had spoken to Red Bull about retaining even an ambassadorial role with Minardi when it becomes Squadra Toro Rosso, Stoddart said: "No. Not yet.

"I've got the CV out there though. It says: 'One outspoken team boss who told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth and didn't give [a damn] who didn't agree with it.' Unfortunately I don't think there are too many opportunities for someone like that."

Stoddart's focus for the immediate future will be on his new airline business OzJet - which is due to begin flying imminently.

"I am going to keep a close eye on the sport," he added. "The sport I love is not yet on the road to recovery.

"But for now I am going to concentrate on OzJet. We get the licence on Friday or Monday at the latest, so I am going to go down there, launch it and get it up and running.

"Where it will really hit me is in the New Year when people plan to go racing and I am missing that very, very badly."