Virgin owner Branson believes F1 needs new teams (PA SportsTicker)
February 27, 2010
BARCELONA, SPAIN(AP) —Virgin Racing owner Richard Branson believes Formula One needs new teams despite recent criticism over whether the rookies will make the season-opening race in Bahrain.
Branson expects Virgin to eventually give Ferrari, which has been critical of F1’s decision to allow four new teams onto the grid, “a run for their money.”
Branson believes Virgin, which alongside fellow rookie Lotus is testing in Barcelona this weekend, will show a private team on a smaller budget can compete. Campos Meta and USF1 are also hoping to reach the March 14 opener.
Branson says he preferred to start “from scratch” and build a new team than continue working with last year’s championship winner Brawn GP, which was eventually bought out by Mercedes.
