Eclectic mix for Virgin.
Not only has the new Virgin Racing team opted for a mix of youth and experience, Latin and Teutonic, for its maiden Formula One season in 2010, but it has also succeeded in attracting a varied blend of partners to accompany it on the journey.
Heading the list is Marussia, Russia's first bespoke sportscar producer, which sees F1 as the perfect stage for its high performance products, while FxPro Financial Services, Nexa Autocolor and Oxigen were all also revealed at the former Manor Grand Prix team's official launch in London.
Created in 2007 by company president Nikolay Fomenko and ideologist Yefim Ostrovsky, Marussia's philosophy for its cars is 'innovation built on reliability', and the group has seen its concept morph into reality with the launch at the Frankfurt Auto Fair in 2009 of its B1 and B2 models, which heralded the appearance of the first Russian sports car.
"Welcoming Marussia to the Virgin Racing family is a reflection of the truly global nature of our partners," Virgin Racing CEO Alex Tai commented, "We are delighted to have Russia's first high performance sports car producer as a partner of both the team and Cosworth. The technical innovation and their visionary approach is completely in tune with our values at Virgin."
In a multi-year deal, Marussia will enjoy major on-car, driver and team branding, but also enters into a relationship with Virgin's engine partner Cosworth, which will supply the Russians with drivetrains and other engineering services over a multi-year partnership. To reflect this dynamic partnership, Marussia is developing a racing version of its car using F1 technologies such as advanced electronics and aerodynamic design.
"We are very proud to partner with Virgin Racing which, like us, is a young, innovative group of people dedicated to excellence and thinking outside the box," Fomenko concluded, "F1 is the pinnacle of motor sport and the perfect environment to constantly strive for the best."
FxPro will also have a significant presence on the car, drivers' clothing and team branding, but also gains a strong and growing relationship with Virgin group companies as part of its deal with the team. Founded in 2006 by chairman Denis Sukhotin, FxPro is a leading global company competing in the provision of services for online trading of foreign exchange markets and other derivatives, with a presence in the UK, the Russian Federation, Austria, France, Greece and Cyprus.
"I'm absolutely delighted that FxPro is sponsoring Virgin Racing in F1," Sukhotin said, "The fact that both of our companies are passionate about achieving great results for our clients on a global basis, and share dynamic values and principles of delivering excellence and care in our services, makes me strongly believe that Virgin Racing will be a success as a brand as well as on the track. It is a pleasure for FxPro to be working in partnership with the Virgin Racing team."
Automotive refinish products expert Nexa Autocolor will have lesser exposure via branding but will provide the team with the latest paint 'solutions', while Oxigen Investments will have a major namecheck as it underlines Virgin boss Richard Branson's personal commitment to the environment and sustainability.
"Sustainability is one of Virgin's major commitments, both through our business model and also via our long-term commitment to all our communities throughout the world," Tai stressed, "Oxigen's philosophy of investment in sustained forests is exactly the type of company model we support and admire. We will be working closely together to define our strategic alliance in this important field and also to identify joint projects. This is a unique model which is new to sports sponsorship."
Formed in 2004 by Guy and Inga Conroy, Oxigen offers 'forestry with a difference' by creating sustainable forests for generations to come, and hopes to benefit from what it feels is a unique presence in F1.
"F1 represents the global media platform that will position our brand on an international stage and it was an easy decision to partner with the Virgin Racing team given Virgin's stated position on the environment and the exciting team that has been put together to challenge for F1 honours," Conroy reasoned, "We look forward to the start of the new F1 season and to working with the team to create awareness and positioning for our brand and to developing new business opportunities."
