Even the 39-year-old admitted: ‘‘No one knows, no one knows anything’’ when asked what impact Fabian Coulthard’s signature would have on his own responsibilities.

All the two-time series champ would confirm was that he would not make a decision on his future until after the Gold Coast 600.

With even the V8 Supercars website speculating that he could retire, the latest development could mean Ambrose’s illustrious career in the championship effectively came to an end when co-driver Scott Pye slammed into the Reid Park wall when placed 11th on lap 138 of Sunday’s Bathurst 1000.

DJR Team Penske sparked the renewed interest in Ambrose’s future when it announced its 2016 driver line-up in would see Coulthard joining Pye.

Ambrose immediately told v8supercars.com.au exactly what he told The Examiner last Thursday.

‘‘We’re going to get through Indy and then we’ll look at the landscape then.

‘‘It’s been a disappointing year. I thought I could contribute and it became pretty obvious from the landscape and the way the cars are now I can’t catch up.’’

Having handed over the Xbox Ford No.1 driver’s position to Pye after just one round of this season, Ambrose returned as co-driver for Sandown and Bathurst and will complete his commitments on the Gold Coast later this month.

‘‘It has been a really difficult year, personally, and we didn’t have a very good start,’’ he told The Examiner last week.

‘‘When I came back and I realised that I couldn’t contribute to the team like I thought I could, with the rules and restrictions in place, it was really hard for me to get up to speed.

‘‘I made some tough choices and I think the right ones, and I think it has helped our team move forward.

‘‘I’ve had a great career and I’m really proud of what I’ve done and it’s been a great journey.

‘‘I’ve got plenty of things to do when I retire, but we’re not there yet and I’m just going to do the endurance races and see how I feel and go from there. ’’

Ambrose has based his family back in Launceston since returning from a nine-year stint with  NASCAR racing in the US.

He was not part of a Penske Racing teleconference on Tuesday, but team president Tim Cindric confirmed: ‘‘As in the past, he’s welcome to be part of our organisation in whatever role he wants to play – and I think that’s yet to be determined.

‘‘But certainly, we didn’t make this decision without having spoken to Marcos and understood where he is – and obviously that’s for him to say – but he’s supportive of this direction.

‘‘A whole season isn’t something he’s interested in doing, so we took that into consideration and worked forward.’’

A team statement quoted Ambrose as saying: ‘‘I fully support the team with the exciting announcements here. My number one priority since stepping out of the car full time was helping the team with that transition. And in Fabian and Scotty, the team has a great future ahead for 2016 and beyond.’’

English-born, New Zealand-raised Coulthard, 33, sits fifth in the V8 Supercar championship standings and has achieved five wins, six poles and 29 podium finishes since 2013.

Just three rounds of the V8 Supercar championship follow the Gold Coast – in Auckland, Phillip Island and Sydney.