May 27 (GMM) Flavio Briatore's was a familiar face in the Monaco paddock on Thursday.

Currently banned from returning to F1, a reporter for Spain's AS newspaper took the opportunity to ask the flamboyant Italian when he might be seen again at the sport's circuits.

"I'm here now, do you not see me?" he laughed.

"Seriously I miss the relationships with the people, that sort of thing, but I am in constant contact and that's fine," added Briatore.

"What I don't miss is travelling to China.

"Formula one is a great sport, and I'd love to be a part of it because I've good friends here," he is quoted by Britain's Daily Mail.

"But at this moment I don't have any plans to come back at all."

Briatore has, however, been linked with Bernie Ecclestone as well as Ferrari, and the latter team is in a restructuring phase after parting company with Aldo Costa.

Fernando Alonso immediately had a surge of form in Monaco but Briatore insists there is no connection with Costa's departure.

"A single person can not be expected to improve everything, but there was some kind of restructuring needed," he said.

Briatore was also asked about the criticism Michael Schumacher has been receiving lately as his comeback continues to disappoint.

"For him it (returning) was a lifestyle choice and we can't criticise that," he said.

"This is what he chose and I hope he has fun -- sometimes more, sometimes less, but we have to respect it."

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