Virgin Racing: Richard Branson’s New Stock Pick

Richard Branson is once again expected to be a fixture in any Formula One races as the Virgin Group which he owns together with Manor Grand Prix, struck a partnership to field a team to compete in the 2010 season. The team will be officially known as Virgin Racing and one of the four new teams entering the exciting world of Formula One racing.

Manor Grand Prix is the partnership between Manor Motorsport and Wirth Research. Manor Motorsports is a big name in the Formula 3 circuit and as well in Formula Renault. Past drivers for Manor Motorsports are Kimi Raikonnen and Lewis Hamilton. Meanwhile, Wirth Research owner, Nick Wirth, was the aerodynamicist for the now defunct Benetton Formula One. Nick Wirth will serve as Technical Director for the Virgin Racing team.

The addition of the Virgin Racing team will be good for Formula One competition as a whole as more teams and more cars means more racing action. The more cars in the field will only take out the best of each driver as it would be harder to win when the track is more crowded. But what should worry other teams is that Virgin Racing is not a bit player. Manor Motorsports is a serious racing outfit and are also accustomed to winning while Nick Wirth is just good at tinkering with technology, in fact, it was him who created the RS-01 Robodog. This must be the reason that Richard Branson was willing to bet his money on Virgin Racing as he knows that it will only be a matter of time that the technical group will come up with a super car which will dominate the grid in the near future.

To give Virgin Racing its muscles on the track is Timo Glock and Lucas di Grassi. Timo Glock was the 2007 GP2 Series champion. So far, at this early stage of his career, he has already amassed 51 points and 3 podium finishes in his budding Formula One career.

Timo Glock’s teammate will be his rival from the 2007 GP2 Series, Lucas di Grassi of Brazil. Lucas di Grassi will be one of the new faces in the Formula One grid along with Bruno Senna. Obviously, Lucas will be motivated enough as he don’t want to be second fiddle to Timo Glock once again and neither would he like to be overshadowed by fellow Brazilian, Bruno Senna, who will be suiting up for another new team, Campos Meta.

Glock and di Grassi will be supplied by their teams with a good looking car dubbed as the VR-01 right from Nick Wirth’s laboratory. The VR-01 will be powered by the Cosworth CA2010. The usual specifications found from other teams are there except that the wishbone suspension has titanium flexture joints and Penske dampers.

Just a point to ponder, last year Richard Branson was also a white knight to Brawn who later won the constructor’s title and Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello were first and third placers. Mr. Branson is no virgin to F1 racing investment and has a good sense of smell when it comes to where to put his money and so everyone should just watch out for the Virgins.