Disillusioned V8 Supercars champion Marcos Ambrose has already been linked to a United States return after dropping the bombshell that he will take indefinite leave from his much hyped comeback.
But motorsport great Mark Skaife is convinced fans will see the two-time V8 series winner behind the wheel again in Australia this year.
Alarm bells were ringing after Ambrose announced he would take an indefinite break from heavyweight Ford outfit DJR Team Penske effective immediately.
After just two events, Ambrose claimed he needed to step back to aid his V8 transition following nine years on the United States' NASCAR circuit.
It sparked speculation Ambrose would return to the US.
And the announcement could not have been timed worse for V8 organisers - the next event is at the Tasmanian driver's home track Symmons Plains in a fortnight.
Ambrose is the poster boy for the event in which fans are encouraged to "join in the super homecoming".
But five-time V8 series champion Skaife believed Ambrose would return.
"Absolutely, he'll be back in a car," he told Fox Sports.
"When he gets back in a car, who knows?.
"When he sees the glimmer of the car getting better... that's when he'll see the push to get back on board.
"In the meantime, we have to be patient."
Ambrose will be replaced by Scott Pye.
Ambrose won 28 races over five seasons and captured back-to-back V8 titles from 2003-04 before his successful NASCAR stint.
And Ambrose made an encouraging V8 return, becoming the quickest qualifying Ford at the Adelaide season opener and narrowly missing out on a top 10 race finish.
But Ambrose's confidence appeared to be rattled at the last event, the non-championship round at last weekend's Australian Grand Prix.
Ambrose was stuck at the back of the grid for all four races and was involved in a nasty crash at the start of the final 12-lap event.
"That would have had a pretty big impact on Marcos being back in the field and maybe some of the cause and effect of this," Skaife said.
"(And) I think ...coming into his home race probably has the ultimate amount of pressure."
Skaife added: "He's been away from the sport 10 years and to come back and have the expectation Marcos would've had ...it must be very, very hard."
Ambrose - 12th in the championship - apologised to fans but claimed he was "fully committed" to the Ford team.
"Although this is a decision which has been hard to make, it has become clear to me over the first two events of the season that I need more experience in these cars to do what is required of the lead driver and to be competitive.
"This... is completely my decision.
"Although this decision may disappoint fans of whom I apologise to, I will continue to be a great teammate and will be at the track to support the team in Tasmania.
"I look forward to getting back on the track later this season."
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