Tony Purnell appointed as FIA Technical Consultant

Tony Purnell, the former team principal of the Jaguar Racing and Red Bull Racing Formula One teams, has been appointed as a Technical Consultant to the FIA. Purnell’s main role will be to assist the FIA in developing Formula One technologies that will be road-relevant and which will help to improve the racing on the track.

Working closely with FIA Technical Consultant Peter Wright and Head of the FIA Formula One Technical Department Charlie Whiting, Purnell will liaise with manufacturers, oil companies and key universities to identify the latest trends in vehicle technology developments.

“I am delighted that Tony will be working with the FIA on this important new Formula One project. Everyone who has worked with Tony knows him to be one of the most pragmatic and technically astute minds in the sport.”

Purnell has a strong academic and professional background in engineering and motor sport. After studying Mechanical Engineering at Manchester University, he won the Kennedy Scholarship at MIT where he completed his Masters Degree. His dissertation was on the subject of Formula One Aerodynamics.

This was followed with a period of research at Cambridge University, where he began work on wind tunnel analysis software. He later founded Pi Research and by the late 1990s had built the company into a highly successful global electronics business.

In 1999 this company was purchased by the Ford Motor Company and Purnell was appointed to head Ford's Premiere Performance Division, a role which was followed by his senior positions in Formula One.