Grapevine: Purnell looking into F1 return

Purnell paid a visit to the Formula One paddock during last weekend's Italian Grand Prix and was seen in talks with a number key figures from various teams.

He is now free of his contractual commitments to Red Bull Racing, who dropped him as well as managing director David Pitchforth shortly after they took over Jaguar Racing.

Although Purnell has dismissed suggestions that he is close to agreeing a deal with Toyota, where his former colleague Mark Gillan has recently been appointed, he has said that he is keeping himself up to date with vacancies in F1.

"I'm here just to make sure I stay in touch with what's going on," Purnell told Autosport about his visit to Monza.

"F1 moves so fast that if you stay out of it for too long you can easily find yourself off the pace."

Purnell is considered among FIA president Max Mosley's closest friends.