Virgin's deal with Brawn GP appears set to come to an end, with a leaked email stating they have bought into the new Manor team.
Leaked email suggests Branson has bought into new Manor team
Virgin's deal with world championship leaders Brawn GP appears set to come to an end after an email leaked to
The Guardian stated that Sir Richard Branson's group has bought into the new Manor Grand Prix team.
The company's logo has been a modest yet noticeable presence on the otherwise unadorned white and green Brawn cars this season, with Branson himself an occasional pitlane visitor to watch the team that has risen from the ashes of the Honda operation dominate Formula One.
Rumours that Virgin's sponsorship will be increased have not materialised and Branson stated on Sunday that the team's success in 2009 meant they had been priced out of a new deal for next year.
However, an email sent by Alan Donnelly, the official representative of FIA president Max Mosley at grands prix, states that Virgin has instead bought a 20 per cent stake in Manor, one of three new teams handed places on the 2010 grid by the sport's governing body last month.
The email said: "Virgin have signed to be investment partners with a share holding of around 20%."
According to the newspaper, Manor, who are set to join the grid alongside the USF1 and Campos Meta outfits, have said that Virgin have no stake in the team.
Guarantees
Virgin themselves said they would provide an "update on their position" later this year but would not respond to questions that they had received prior guarantees about the entry of Manor, who beat the likes of Lola and Prodrive to the grid.
Also in the email, sent to a member of the Saudi royal family, Donnelly expressed the hope that a deal could also be struck between Manor and the recipient.
"I will be in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and look forward to seeing you at our planned meeting...with representatives of Manor and Virgin," he wrote. "However if you would like a pre-meeting with me privately on Sunday then please let me know."
Donnelly told the newspaper he was in the Middle East on official FIA business, holding meetings with the Saudi sports ministry, potential investors in new circuits and the country's Motorsport Federation.
"I also met potential investors in Formula One," he said. "It would be odd for an FIA representative to refuse to assist in any of these projects."
Donnelly's other role as stewards' adviser at races was recently highlighted by the Formula One Team's Association, who wrote to the FIA questioning whether there might be a conflict of interest.
Even so, according to
autosport.com, the FIA has insisted that support for new teams such as Manor is part of its stated aim to increase numbers on the grid and improve the sport.
