Red Bull principal Tony Purnell looks to 2005
After weathering the turbulent months that culminated in Jaguar Racing being bought by energy drink magnate Dietrich Mateschitz, Red Bull Racing team principal Tony Purnell knows better than most how difficult it can be for F1's smaller teams to survive on the crumbs left by Ferrari, Michael Schumacher and company. But does he think Schumacher's current pre-eminence is robbing the sport of its appeal? And what ingredients might be needed to spice up F1 in the future?

Purnell aired his views on these and a number of other issues concerning the state of F1 at a recent press lunch. Autosport.com grand prix editor Jonathan Noble was there.
I think it will be much the same as last year myself. The fantastic thing about human beings is that you can keep slapping them down but they jump up for more. People know there will be a new era one day, presumably when Michael Schumacher retires, but people admire Michael as really, deep in everyone's heart, him winning all the time is okay because he is the best. And I believe he really is the best. Bernie says that it is good for the sport because we've got a bit of a legend in our midst and he has got a point.
You can see his point. I think it would be absolutely bloody marvellous if he drove for another team...say, Red Bull Racing! We could solve all the speculation in a heartbeat and sign Michael. He is experienced, he is enthusiastic and he is young!
I think that, with respect, that comment leads to the thought that if you put Kimi or whatever in a Ferrari, would they whiz away and win? Then yes I think they would. But I think Michael's special talent is the way he glues the team together and constantly works with the engineers in trying to make the car better. And his care to the staff is admirable - I have heard stories that he really does try and make everyone feel he values them.
No, I don't go along with that. I think there was a time you could say that about Jeff Gordon and NASCAR, and in baseball and hockey they have had megastars. There are eras, aren't there, and people like those eras when there is a fantastic guy.
There are two reasons for that, in my opinion. One is his charisma and personality, and something Rossi has done this year which people think is wonderful is that he has got on his bike, which everybody knows is not the quickest machine in town, and wallop, he is still a winner. Fantastic.
Rossi would be great for F1. I personally would love it if the driver stopped on his slowing down lap and pulled out a hammer and chisel...
Red Bull is the only marketing company we are involved with in F1. There are six manufacturers; Red Bull is a marketing company and I expect them to approach the presentation of the team with a little bit of an edge. That is what I want. Like refusing to announce the driver line-up until the last moment...when we are ready we will announce it.
Latest news
NASCAR bans Chastain Martinsville wall-ride manoeuvre
NASCAR has decided to ban the wall-ride manoeuvre made famous by Ross Chastain at Martinsville that secured him a place in the Championship 4.
Gasly: Mindset for Alpine is "completely different" to Red Bull F1 move
Pierre Gasly says he has a "completely different" mindset for his Alpine Formula 1 move thanks to lessons taken from his failed stint at Red Bull in 2019.
GTD Pro win a “proper send-off” for retiring IMSA stalwart MacNeil
Winning the GTD Pro class at the Daytona 24 Hours was a fitting way for Cooper MacNeil to retire from racing in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, says team-mate Jules Gounon.
The all-French F1 partnership that Ocon and Gasly hope to emulate
Alpine’s signing of Pierre Gasly alongside Esteban Ocon revives memories of a famous all-French line-up, albeit in the red of Ferrari, for BEN EDWARDS. Can the former AlphaTauri man's arrival help the French team on its path back to winning ways in a tribute act to the Prancing Horse's title-winning 1983?
The all-French F1 partnership that Ocon and Gasly hope to emulate
Alpine’s signing of Pierre Gasly alongside Esteban Ocon revives memories of a famous all-French line-up, albeit in the red of Ferrari, for BEN EDWARDS. Can the former AlphaTauri man's arrival help the French team on its path back to winning ways in a tribute act to the Prancing Horse's title-winning 1983?
How do the best races of F1 2022 stack up to 2021?
OPINION: A system to score all the grands prix from the past two seasons produces some interesting results and sets a standard that 2023 should surely exceed
Who were the fastest drivers in F1 2022?
Who was the fastest driver in 2022? Everyone has an opinion, but what does the stopwatch say? Obviously, differing car performance has an effect on ultimate laptime – but it’s the relative speed of each car/driver package that’s fascinating and enlightening says ALEX KALINAUCKAS
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
The potential-laden F1 car that Ferrari neglected
The late Mauro Forghieri played a key role in Ferrari’s mid-1960s turnaround, says STUART CODLING, and his pretty, intricate 1512 was among the most evocative cars of the 1.5-litre era. But a victim of priorities as Formula 1 was deemed less lucrative than success in sportscars, its true potential was never seen in period
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? LUKE SMITH asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.