Thompson could sit out 2009

The Briton started the 2008 season late with the team's new Honda Accord, then scored the first ever WTCC victory for a Japanese manufacturer at Imola in September.

But without backing from Honda in Japan, the team have been forced to withdraw from the series and released Thompson, who was one year into a three-year deal, in December.

The two-time British Touring Car champion has not yet been able to find a top drive for the season, and says he would rather sit out 2009 than race an uncompetitive car.

"It's very disappointing to have your contract terminated in the last week in December, and I've made no progress since then," Thompson told autosport.com.

"I believe I can still win a title in BTCC, WTCC or wherever, but it's unrealistic to expect people to be banging your door down just because you've won a few titles before.

"I'd be tempted if someone called me and offered me a drive in a good car in a good championship, but nothing yet. Maybe I'll just stay at home. That's better than going with a bad team, because racing for the sake of it is not good - you'll never win anything that way.

"I can do a bloody good job for someone."

Thompson says he has discussed a possible drive in Swedish Touring Cars with Honda Racing Sweden boss Tomas Engstrom, but is reluctant to take a deal that clashes with other major series, and added that he would consider a move into sportscars.

"Engstrom called me, he runs the Hondas. I haven't had an offer, I haven't decided anything," Thompson said. "But if you do Sweden, then the dates clash with most other important things so you can only really do Sweden.

"GT racing is a possibility, it would be good to see if anyone's interested. It's a totally different ballpark though.

"I don't really have a priority on where I race this year, I just want to be competitive. You can count yourself lucky if you get paid to go racing. I've been speaking to everyone I can think of."