Art of Gears
Fansided

The History of Marussia F1

By David Castro

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 13: The drivers helmet of Max Chilton of Great Britain and Marussia during previews to the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 13, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 13: The drivers helmet of Max Chilton of Great Britain and Marussia during previews to the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 13, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 15: Sir Richard Branson attends the media launch for the new Virgin Racing team at the Louise Blouin Foundation on December 15, 2009 in Notting Hill, London, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 15: Sir Richard Branson attends the media launch for the new Virgin Racing team at the Louise Blouin Foundation on December 15, 2009 in Notting Hill, London, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /

The Early Days: Virgin Racing

Virgin Racing was born in 2009 after Richard Branson purchased 80% of Manor Grand Prix. Rechristened Virgin Racing the team hit the F1 world in 2010 with Timo Glock and Lucas di Grassi behind the wheel of the Cosworth powered VR-01.

The results were abysmal in 2010 as both cars did not score a point in the Constructors’ Championship and their best race finish was 14th, di Grassi at the Malaysian Grand Prix and Glock at the Belgium Grand Prix. Marussia Motors was a sponsor of Virgin Racing from day one and in November 2010 they acquired a controlling stake in the bottom rung F1 squad.

For 2011 the team was rebranded “Marussia Virgin Racing” and would race under a Russian license. Even with a new name the results were equally bad; no Constructors’ Championship points and their best finish in a race was once again 14th.

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