The three-times Supercars champion was a member of the global audience for the Bathurst 500 over the weekend, tuning in from his base in Charlotte, North Carolina given he is now part of the IndyCar series.

He admitted it was an odd feeling not to be on the grid at the Mount steering a Dick Johnson Racing Mustang carrying the #1.

"I'm missing it a lot, it's definitely weird. I said to Karly my wife, when the cars were rolling out for practice one the other day it was a bit surreal. I was like 'Oh My God'," McLaughlin told Supercars Live.

"I miss them all [at DJR], we built a special bond, they're like brothers to me, brothers and sisters, just seeing them on the TV, it's funny."

When asked if he intended to return to contest this year's Bathurst 1000 in October for DJR, McLaughlin said it was certainly something he wanted to do.

But whether or not the 2019 Great Race winner will be at the Mount depends on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As it stands at the moment, McLaughlin would not finish mandatory quarantine in Australia in time to line up for his 10^th consecutive Bathurst 1000.

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"Yeah if I can make it I'm racing with DJR, it's just a matter of if the borders persist and if I can get back in time from quarantine," he said.

"Our last race at Long Beach now has been moved and with flight times and all that stuff you put into consideration means I'll get out of quarantine the Monday after the Great Race.

"So unfortunately right now it's going to be tough, but if restrictions come off a little bit I might be okay, I might get a vaccine. I don't know what will happen over here, it's all getting pretty full one.

"Otherwise one day I'd love to come back and pay my dies to the team for sure."