No change on pitwall - Purnell
(GMM -- Nov.16) The former Jaguar management will probably sit on the 'Red Bull' pitwall next season, continuing team principal Tony Purnell said on Monday.

Austrian energy drink magnate Dietrich Mateschitz has pledged $400 million to the Milton Keynes-based Formula One team over the next three years, but is unlikely to ask for a ceremonious spot in the limelight.

''He does not crave publicity,'' Purnell told a news conference. ''Red Bull ... will employ professionals to run (the team).''

Mateschitz, whose company's slogan is 'Red Bull Gives You Wings,' called the Jaguar purchase the 'provisional summit' of a decade-long flirt with Formula One.








Jag rescue is Sauber blow
(GMM -- Nov.16) Jaguar's savior served a blow to small Formula One rival Sauber, we can reveal.

Red Bull, who now own the formerly Ford-backed outfit based in Milton-Keynes, will not continue to sponsor Peter Sauber's Swiss team in 2005.

Dietrich Mateschitz, the Austrian billionaire, bought a chunk of Sauber in 1995 and, despite a later disagreement, remained on the Hinwil-designed livery ever since.

''We have made (contingency) plans,'' said a source at Sauber.

Peter Sauber, meanwhile - the team principal and owner - told a British motoring publication that the split will not have a short term effect and there is 'enough time' to influence a longer fix.

''We are in contact with several companies,'' he revealed.








Cosworth committed to F1
(GMM -- Nov.16) Cosworth's new owner vowed to 'continue the great tradition' of competing at the very pinnacle of motor sport.

Kevin Kalkhoven, a Champ Car team owner and co-owner of the North American-based championship, said he and partner Gerald Forsythe have a 'great respect' for the company's heritage.

''We (also) want to move into the future with new projects and new ideas,'' said the Australian millionaire.

Minardi and newly-fashioned 'Team Red Bull' will be Cosworth-powered in Formula One next year.







Coulthard and Red Bull
(GMM -- Nov.16) David Coulthard and F3000 champion Vitantonio Liuzzi have lurched back into serious contention for a Formula One race seat in 2005.

''We'll test some young guys,'' Team Red Bull (formerly Ford-owned Jaguar Racing) principal Tony Purnell admitted.

The British chief said 33-year-old F1 veteran Coulthard, who raced out a nine year tenure at McLaren last month, is 'on the list' of candidates to line-up probably alongside Dieter Mateschitz-protégé Christian Klien.

Meanwhile, Red Bull has a junior driver program, in which Italian-born Liuzzi is undoubtedly the star.

Purnell added: ''I see no reason to make an early decision. We have an open mind.''








Cosworth's other bidders
(GMM -- Nov.16) Indianapolis' Tony George and Indy Racing League team owner Chip Ganassi were also in the running to buy Formula One engine supplier Cosworth.

But Ford's group vice president Richard Parry-Jones, though, revealed that Champ Car co-owners Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerry Forsythe had a 'significantly superior' approach and offer.

Cosworth's continuing managing director Tim Routsis, meanwhile, admitted that the sale by Ford was 'very distracting' for a motor sport organization.

''Inevitably it involves some uncertainties,'' he said, ''and a degree of worry in the workforce. It would have been somewhat understandable if people had slightly sloping shoulders.''








Jordan deal 'is a challenge'
(GMM -- Nov.16) Supplying Jordan with the same 2005-spec engine next year will be a 'real challenge,' Toyota F1 principal Tsutomu Tomita has admitted.

The Japanese said a one-year agreement with the struggling independent team was concluded at the 'last minute.

''But it is a (challenge) which we are happy to take on. We are pleased to be able to help another team, given the difficulties (in F1) particularly with engine supply.''

Meanwhile, a Jordan spokeswoman denied that a Toyota-contracted driver, such as Australian youngster Ryan Briscoe, is a part of the new customer engine arrangement.







Red Bull engine 'change' in '06
(GMM -- Nov.16) 'Red Bull Racing' may not be powered by a Cosworth engine beyond 2005, Formula One team owner Dietrich Mateschitz admitted.

The 'RB1' racer, formerly referred to as 'R6' under Ford's ownership of defunct Jaguar, is designed for a Cosworth V10 and it makes no sense to re-design just prior to pre-season testing.

''But I can imagine a change in 2006,'' said the Austrian billionaire, Mateschitz.

Meanwhile, Red Bull F1 principal Tony Purnell - who oversaw the design of the R6 - said RB1 'will be a good, solid car.'

He added: ''The uncertainty has been a setback but we're back on course.''








Ford 'won't return'
(GMM -- Nov.16) There is 'no chance' that Dearborn-based car manufacturer Ford will return to Formula One in a few years' time.

That is the admittedly regrettable verdict of group vice president and Ford's chief technical officer Richard Parry-Jones.

''You can't say never,'' he said at a London news conference staged to reveal Formula One's new owner as the Red Bull energy drink company.

But he insisted that a huge amount of time, expense and 'careful' management went into devising Ford's F1 'exit' plan, which also included selling engine supplier Cosworth.

Parry-Jones insisted: ''You don't take (those) kinds of decisions lightly.''








Juan vows to 'blow Kimi away'
(GMM -- Nov.16) Juan Pablo Montoya is aiming to thrash 2005 Formula One team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.

The pair will race against each other for the first time at McLaren next season, and 25-year-old incumbent team driver Raikkonen, a Finn, will want to 'blow me away,' Montoya suggested.

''I aim to do the same thing to him,'' 29-year-old Juan Pablo, who was born in Colombian capital Bogotá and raced for Williams since 2001, told German publication Auto Bild.

He added: ''A new team is like a new toy. I feel like it's my first day at school.''







Red Bull and Michelin
(GMM -- Nov.16) Formula One team Red Bull Racing, formerly Ford-owned Jaguar, is 'in negotiation' with tire supplier Michelin about staying on the same rubber next year.

Continuing team principal Tony Purnell said the 2005 'R6' car, to forthwith be known as 'RB1' (Red Bull 1), was 'designed around' the French product.

He explained: ''We are hoping to continue that relationship.''








No Brit GP - report
(GMM -- Nov.16) F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and the historic grand prix circuit at Silverstone have failed to reach agreement for a 2005 British grand prix.

Last week, the track-owning British Racing Drivers' Club expressed optimism after an apparently 'constructive' meeting of F1 principals and the 74-year-old calendar author.

A promoters' contract - which landed on Alex Hooton's desk last Friday - must be signed and submitted before the next World Council meeting in December.

But a report in the Daily Telegraph said the BRDC executive was 'staggered' to discover that Ecclestone's new offer was identical to an unacceptable one which preceded it.

Under the deal, the BRDC - not Ecclestone - would stay as promoter, and the race would only be guaranteed for one year.

''The BRDC needed a minimum ... two years,'' the newspaper said. ''(The BRDC) have called a meeting on Thursday to discuss their response.''








Some Jag sponsors will stay
(GMM -- Nov.16) Most sponsors of defunct Formula One team Jaguar will not stay under new ownership in 2005, continuing principal Tony Purnell revealed.

He said 'some' backers may maintain a presence on the new, colorful livery, 'but largely (Red Bull Racing) will be looking for a new set of sponsors.'

There may also be some interest in the new team from China, Purnell - who conducted a business trip in Shanghai and Beijing in early October - told a London press conference.

''Over the coming months,'' said the Englishman, ''(the potential Chinese deals will be) unveiled.''







Red Bull 'like Benetton'
(GMM -- Nov.16) 'Red Bull' has been likened to Benetton, the clothing brand that once bought a Formula One team and won the world championship within a decade.

Jaguar's Tony Purnell, who will stay at Milton-Keynes as principal, said energy drink magnate Dieter Mateschitz's plan is also to 'promote a brand' in racing.

''Red Bull has the same attitude as (Benetton) did,'' said the Englishman at a news conference.'

Purnell and Ford group vice president Richard Parry-Jones addressed the staff of more than 340 at the English F1 HQ on Monday morning.

He reported: ''The atmosphere was pretty bubbly!''








Red Bull to find alternative
(GMM -- Nov.16) Cosworth has admitted that 'Red Bull Racing' may find an alternate engine supplier for the 2006 season.

Managing director Tim Routsis, who confirmed the arrangement for next March's new F1 season, referred to the 'significant rule changes' in Formula One for 2006.

Then, a compulsory V8 formula will descend on the pinnacle of motor sport.

''We (at Cosworth are) reviewing the details of those changes very carefully,'' Routsis explained.








Ralf's a 'mystery' - Montoya
(GMM -- Nov.16) Quite often, Ralf Schumacher has 'no interest' in driving a Formula One car quickly, former four-year team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya said.

The outspoken Colombian driver, who - like Ralf - is also moving from BMW-Williams for 2005, said the younger brother of world champion Michael Schumacher is 'very good' when he's on it.

He told Germany's Auto Bild: ''(Ralf) can be very fast. But (sometimes) he's not the same -- it's a mystery to me.''

29-year-old Montoya also pointed the finger at Williams' engine partner BMW, who got 'more demanding in all areas' in the duration of season 2004.

''I don't know exactly ... what's normal in Formula One between two partners,'' he confessed.

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