Having nicked him from Jordan, Flavio Briatore went on to enjoy a successful partnership with Michael Schumacher, the German winning back-to-back titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995.

Then came the move to Ferrari, followed by many of the backroom staff that had built the Anglo-Italian outfit into world beaters.

With Ferrari, Schumacher has added a further five titles to his tally, and Flavio Briatore believes that the German's success isn't so much about his own ability but the failure of others to put him under pressure and fight him.

"We've made it too easy for Michael," the Italian told Welt am Sonntag. "He's relaxed out there like a taxi driver. Sticks his arm out and just cuts in.

"He knows that he enjoys a lot of respect among the other drivers," he continued. "No one takes any risks against him.

"However, we have to put Michael under more pressure, he makes mistakes when under pressure."

Indeed, it has often been said that the German prefers to be the hunter rather than the quarry, a clear example, according to Briatore, being last weekend's incident with Nick Heidfeld in Melbourne.

"It looked like he did not do everything he could to prevent the accident," said the Renault team boss.