Sponsored by
Exclusive: Branson to back Manor GP on their F1 debut
YORKSHIRE-BASED Formula 1 debutants Manor GP are to team up with Virgin next year after reaching a sponsorship agreement with Sir Richard Branson's global business empire.
The Yorkshire Post understands the deal will be announced on November 4, three days after the culmination of the 2009 season in Abu Dhabi, when Virgin's involvement with the title-chasing Brawn GP team concludes.
Manor's partnership with Virgin, which could see the team race under the name Virgin F1, will provide a valuable injection of funds as they look to make an impact on the grand prix scene.
However, it is understood that the new team will still be based at Dinnington, near Sheffield, with work already underway on a purpose-built facility that will house the 30 or so experienced F1 technicians the team will hire for the 2010 season.
Virgin began the 2009 season as financial backers to Jenson Button's Brawn team but Branson announced he would be stepping aside due to spiralling costs, round about the time Manor were announced as one of three new teams that would be on the grid next season.
John Booth – who launched Manor from his home garage in 1990 and has transformed them into one of the leading Formula 3 teams – was able to break into Formula 1's multi-million dollar industry when the sport's governing body FIA proposed to cap team spending at 40m.
Since learning of their ascension to the F1 ranks in June, Booth and his team have been working around the clock to prepare for their step up in class.
Branson, who according to the Forbes 2009 list of billionaires is the 261st richest person in the world with a net worth of 1.5bn, has been an ever-present at grands prix this season and is keen to remain involved in the sport and earlier this summer said he would be looking to support a 'smaller team'.
It is understood that Virgin employee Alex Tai will have some role at the top level of the team working along with Booth.
Booth last night said progress was ahead of schedule and that the team hope to finalise their driver line-up by the middle of November.
It is understood they could consider offering Nelson Piquet Jnr a route back onto the Formula 1 grid following his role in the recent 'Crashgate' saga.
Talks have been ongoing with prospective drivers for weeks and although Booth has yet to speak with Piquet – son of three-time world champion Nelson – he confirmed he is an admirer of the 24-year-old's track skills.
The German-born Brazilian helped bring about the downfall of Flavio Briatore this week following the 'Crashgate' saga. The FIA gave Piquet immunity in return for his role in uncovering details of the Renault team orders that he was to crash into a wall to enable team-mate Fernando Alonso to win last year's Singapore Grand Prix.
Although Piquet this week said he may have to seek employment away from Formula 1 to rebuild his reputation, Booth said: "I've not spoken to him at the moment, but he's a smashing little driver.
"I've no personal problems with him, but it is unclear what his current position is with regards sponsorship."
Prospective drivers in Formula 1 are not only gauged on their abilities on the track but also what financial opportunities they bring.
Other names in the shake-up for a seat with Manor/Virgin next season are former Super Aguri driver turned BBC radio pundit Anthony Davidson, ex-Red Bull driver Christian Klien and reigning A1GP world champion Adam Carroll.
Klien is a veteran of 46 F1 races and is currently the test driver at BMW Sauber, while Britain's Davidson, 30, raced 24 grands prix over a seven-year spell.
Carroll is another driver Booth is keen on after working closely with him while a consultant with Ireland's A1 team.
"Adam is a driver we rate very highly and we have held talks with him," said Booth who in the past worked in Formula Renault alongside Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton, both of whom went on to become Formula 1 world champions.
"We have spoken to Christian but nothing more. I've had a chat with Anthony Davidson and he's a very quick driver.
"It's amazing the amount of quality drivers that are out there."
Work has already begun on the second site at Manor's Dinnington base, allaying any fears that the allegiance with Virgin and the partnership with car designer Nick Wirth down at his Bicester base in Oxfordshire, would see the operation move south.
"The car is progressing well and everything is moving ahead," said Booth.
MANOR FACTFILE
1990: Rotherham butcher and former single-seat champion John Booth launches team from his garage to compete in Formula Renault.
2003: Manor join inaugural Formula 3 Euroseries after helping progression of future F1 world champions Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton.
June 2009: Announced as one of three teams joining F1 in 2010, Manor GP is a combination of Booth's Manor team and Wirth Research, owned by former Simtek team owner Nick Wirth. The car for 2010 will be first F1 car designed entirely using CFD computer simulation technology and will have a Cosworth engine.
Sep 2009: Agreement with new sponsor Virgin, along with naming rights, are revealed with confirmation given that Dinnington base will continue to be the centre of the team's operation.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
