FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[What's Burning?]

I have to say I'd never heard of Marussia motors until now.

Virgin Racing has announced that the team will be re-named 'Marussia Virgin Racing' next season, after Marussia Motors acquired a ‘significant shareholding’ in the Sheffield-based outfit. The deal was confirmed today ahead of the 2010 Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Marussia Motors, the budding Russian sportscar company, headed by ex-racer Nikolay Fomenko, was already involved with the squad, having been a ‘partner’ since its launch back in December last year.

“This is definitely a good news story for Virgin Racing and for F1,” said Graeme Lowdon, Chief Executive of Virgin Racing. “Marussia Motors has been a much-valued team partner throughout the 2010 season and we are delighted to introduce them formally as the significant shareholder in Virgin Racing and a major force in the team’s future.

“This announcement cements our place on the F1 grid and is testimony to the hard work and dedication of every single member of our team.”

Moscow-based Marussia Motors hopes the deal will help put it on the worldwide automotive radar.

“This is the realisation of a dream for Marussia Motors,” added Fomenko. “While manufacturing, launching and marketing the Marussia B1, B2 and other concepts in Europe, we will have a F1 team to promote these activities and demonstrate to the world that a new car manufacturer has arrived from Russia with truly international ambitions.”
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[texasmr2]

Sir Richard looking after his empire I assume but hopefully Virgin GP will get an infusion of sorely needed funding and we will see them move up the grid in '11, spasiba Marussia.

[Stealthgate007]

Opulence... Virgin haz its..

This may be another avenue for Russia to take in getting its Gran Prix.. Vladimir Putin is a fan, so injection of govt cash, funneled through Marussia may pursuede Virgin to get a young Russian driver.. Just a theory.

[Jabberwocky]

So Petrov has a seat next year then

[texasmr2]

So Petrov has a seat next year then

[What's Burning?]

So Petrov has a seat next year then

He's the poster child for everything being negotiated now between Bernie and Russian investors. I have to say there are worse rookie F1 drivers on the grid, but there have been much better rookie performances. So a Virgin drive may be a good instance of water seeking its own level.

[Stealthgate007]

come to find out is wasn't a "significant shareholding" It was a controlling interest. Marussia Owns that team... Hmmmm...

[vaptin]

come to find out is wasn't a "significant shareholding" It was a controlling interest. Marussia Owns that team... Hmmmm...

Indeed, I never got the impression Branson was in it for the long term or particularly committed.

They still have to rely on Petrov not being signed by Renault, or somehow convincing him to leave.

[What's Burning?]

come to find out is wasn't a "significant shareholding" It was a controlling interest. Marussia Owns that team... Hmmmm...

Maybe it's a cultural thing and they were being modest?

Get ready for rookie F1 driver Vladimir Putin.

[kerc]

So Petrov has a seat next year then

[texasmr2]

Indeed, I never got the impression Branson was in it for the long term or particularly committed.

Just another arena of 'self-promotion' for him . I despise rich idiots playing in a sandbox were they do not belong. I had high hopes at first but deep down knew it was innevitable.

[f1ea]

Seems it was a good business move for Branson... 1yr in F1, did terribly, still made lots of money.
How about we start an F1 team??!!

BTW i think this is the best way of getting into F1... just buy an existing team and go from there. Better than the start from scrach scheme GPUSA wanted to come up with.

Good for Petrov also!
I think he will be a decent driver. There's been better rookies, but he's been exciting and has shown at times promising pace and abilities. Same with Nico Hulkenberg and Chandhok. The other rookies did very, very little to be recognised for.

[Big Azza]

Haha. We're making it sound like Petrov is already driving for them. Don't be too quick to jump. (But Vettel will win WDC in 3 days time.)

I thought Branson would be a hard-core F1 fanatic. I'm disappointed in his attempt. He has enough money to be creative and make a green F1 racer if he wants. He could change the future of motorsport...

But no - instead he makes a half-arse attempt and Glock is the biggest loser in all this.

[texasmr2]

I thought Branson would be a hard-core F1 fanatic. I'm disappointed in his attempt. He has enough money to be creative and make a green F1 racer if he wants. He could change the future of motorsport...

But no - instead he makes a half-arse attempt and Glock is the biggest loser in all this.

[darwin dali]

Fomenko added he would be interested in signing Russian F1 driver Vitaly Petrov in the future. "Today I am unable to provide him with a competitive car," he said. "And he needs to continue his career in a fast car. Just wait for one more season."