Stoddart tempted by return to F1

The outspoken Australian, who has been out of F1 since he sold Minardi to Red Bull in 2005, has no full-time commitments any more after deciding not to move his team from Champ Car to the reunified IRL series this year.

He also revealed that he considered making a bid to buy Super Aguri if their rescue package had fallen through, and says he is open to further opportunities.

But Stoddart, who will be a radio commentator for a local station in Melbourne this weekend, made it clear that he is unhappy with the amount of politics in F1. And confesses he would prefer to return only when FIA president Max Mosley leaves his present role.

When asked by autosport.com in Melbourne on Wednesday if he has any desire to return to F1, Stoddart said: "I have. Just recently I looked at coming back (through Super Aguri) and I will probably look at it again if the opportunity comes. But the reality is it will be quite hard for me to come back if Max is still there.

"But I am not discounting the possibility of doing something between now and before (he goes) if the right opportunity comes along. The thought of sending Max an email saying, 'Hi Max, I am back' is incredibly tempting, but I won't be stupid about it.

"That opportunity does not exist today, however. If a team were to come onto the market at a sensible price that I felt I could do something with, then yes I would be interested. In starting a new team, possibly not at the moment, there is a monumental difference between starting a new team and taking an existing one - all kinds of financial differences.

"So if you ask me if I would be interested in starting a new team? Not until Mosley has gone. Would I be interested in buying an existing team? If the right opportunity came along I would definitely be interested."

Stoddart put his name forward as a contender for the 12th team slot in F1 for 2008, but lost out in that process to Prodrive.

And, although Prodrive's bid failed because of a challenge about the legality of customer cars, Stoddart thinks he would have been on the grid this weekend if his entry had been successful.

"I tell you, the difference is I would have been there. That 12th slot may still be open, but until or unless a new Concorde Agreement is signed you wouldn't know what the game plan is going to be, what the rules of engagement are going to be."

Mosley said earlier this year that he is no rush to decide whether or not to stand for a fifth term as president. His current term expires in 2009.