Virgin out to prove worth: Director

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PARIS: Virgin Racing could well surprise people in their maiden Formula One campaign, technical director Nick Wirth said on Wednesday.

MORE THAN READY: Virgin boss Richard Branson celebrates after driver Jenson Button of Great Britain claimed pole position in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, in this March 28, 2009 file photo. — AFP photo

MORE THAN READY: Virgin boss Richard Branson celebrates after driver Jenson Button of Great Britain claimed pole position in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, in this March 28, 2009 file photo. — AFP photo

Wirth, who left the sport in disgust at the rising costs in 1999, was speaking as Virgin unveiled their VR01 model, whose concept was designed and constructed entirely by a computer for financial reasons.

“The car was designed, constructed and tested in virtual reality,” said the team in a statement.

“Otherwise the costs would have been too onerous and costly in terms of resources.”

Wirth admitted that it had been a hectic period for the team.

“The past year has been a rollercoaster ride as we first conceived the idea of entering Formula 1 and then navigated the route to launch in 12 very busy but rewarding months,” said 43-year-old Wirth.

“I am immensely proud to be part of a team that isn’t simply making it to the grid’ but which has surpassed even our wildest expectations technically, in our racing operation and also commercially.”

Wirth had been a chief designer for the Benetton team at the time he left the circuit 11 years ago but revealed he had been fed up with the amount of money involved in the sport.

“When I left the sport in ’99 I was disappointed and disillusioned,” said Wirth, who is the youngest ever fellow of the world-renowned Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

“Formula 1 had become like Boeing versus Airbus. As soon as I heard about the proposals for a budget-capped Formula 1, the opportunity to prove the all-CFD approach at the highest level was too exciting for words. F1 under resource restriction? Welcome to my world.”

Both the teams drivers German Timo Glock and debutant 25-year-old Brazilian Luca di Grassi were encouraged by what they saw.

“It is unbelievable. The guys had so little time to construct the car,” purred di Grassi in a video recording.

“They started from zero. It is astonishing what they have succeeded in achieving in less than a year,” added di Grassi, who knows Glock well having finished second to him in the 2007 GP2          Series.

Glock too was prepared to give it the thumbs up.

“I think that is a pretty good package,” said the 27-year-old, who drove for Toyota last year.

“It is a pretty good beginning for a new team,” added Glock, who has three podium finishes to his credit in 36 Grand Prix starts.

Virgin are the first of the four new teams to unveil their car – the other new kids on the block are Campos, Lotus and USF1.

All their drivers will participate in the last three testing sessions of the pre-season – 10-13 and 17-20 February in Jerez, Spain and 25-28 February in Barcelona.

The first race of the season is on March 14 in Bahrain. — AFP