News: Rotherham's Manor Grand Prix teams up with Virgin

The Virgin Racing Formula 1 team has been officially launched in London, where it was confirmed that Rotherham's Manor Grand Prix has teamed up with Sir Richard Branson's Virgin brand to embark on an exciting F1 adventure.

Richard Branson and the Virgin Racing management team of Nick Wirth, John Booth and Alex Tai outlined the vision for their team and revealed the driver line-up.

Alongside Timo Glock were two new additions - Brazilian Lucas di Grassi and GP2's Portuguese revelation Alvaro Parente.

Virgin Racing also welcomed nine new partners to the team including Bridgestone, FXPro, Kappa and green companies Oxigen and Carbon Green.

Etienne De Villiers, a top media executive who has worked at Disney, BBC Worldwide and the ATP Tour will become the new Chairman.

Team principal Alex Tai said: "Virgin Racing is a real racing team founded by real racers and which has a very clearly defined path towards achieving success. This will be our core focus, but at the same time we intend to be a team which has great spirit. We are looking to make a big contribution to the sport and its fans. I am full of excitement and optimism about what we can achieve together."

Technical director Nick Wirth said: "The past year has been a rollercoaster ride as we first conceived the idea of entering Formula 1 and then navigated the route to launch in 12 very busy but rewarding months. I am immensely proud to be part of a team that isn't simply "making it to the grid" but which has surpassed even our wildest expectations technically, in our racing operation and also commercially."

The Manor team based in Dinnington was named on the entry list for the 2010 championship earlier this year and Manor's owner and the new sporting director of Virgin Racing, John Booth has been busily expanding both premises and people.

Booth is to lead a team of 45 staff at the Rotherham base which will be where the race team and cars will be equipped, based and resourced.

John Booth said: "I've never had any ambitions to be in Formula 1, purely because it was so out of reach. The FIA in their wisdom quite rightly decided to introduce some sort of cost restriction. At the same time as making Formula 1 more affordable for its current competitors, it opened up our own horizons and that of other teams.

"I think Nick is a design genius and I have absolute faith in his ability to design a fantastic car. In turn he has the belief in our ability to run it. There is already a great chemistry within the team and this is inspiring a lot of confidence."

Earlier this month, LDC, a subsidary of the Lloyds Banking Group added Manor to their investment portfolio.

Darryl Eales, CEO of LDC, said: "Manor represents the combination of a great management, racing pedigree and world class engineering and design; in a unique market segment and in one of the world's most popular sports."

Richard Branson said: "I believe that with the right bunch of people you can achieve anything. It might take a while to get there, but I believe with this team of people on board, Virgin Racing can go all the way."

Virgin Racing website
Rotherham

Images: virginracing.com