Jordan: Modern F1 wouldn’t suit my management style

The former racer, who ran the Jordan F1 team from 1991 to 2005 before selling the operation to Midland Group ahead of the 2006 season, told The Race he preferred what he viewed as a freer way of working and more space on the grid for independent entries in prior years.

And when the 72-year old was asked whether he would ever consider getting back into the shoes of a team boss in the future, he said that it was not an option he would consider again.

“I don’t want to be blunt, but I wouldn’t,” he said.

“It’s so different. Not better, not worse, just different. I think it’s becoming hugely corporate, institutionalised.

“It just needs a very highly qualified, very understanding type of person.

“You really don’t see the style of Ron Dennis or Frank Williams or myself, whether it be Ken Tyrrell or Jackie Stewart or all of these people, including Tom Walkinshaw.

“These were, as Bernie [Ecclestone, long-time F1 boss] used to call them ‘owner drivers’, so in other words you went in there, it was your money that was at risk.

“If Bernie paid you had enough money to keep going and if he didn’t pay you, basically you’d struggle.”