Virgin may rename Brawn, buy team equity

[John S]

Now isn't that just like Branson to jump on a populist bandwagon for the least risk. He refused to put his hand in his pocket to buy the team now the are the darlings, and on everyones lips, he wants to takeover the spotlight entirely.

Mere weeks after rising from Honda's ashes as 'Brawn GP', the Brackley-based team could be set for yet another name change.

Following the eleventh-hour sponsorship deal with the Virgin brand, Sir Richard Branson in Melbourne admitted his company might take over the name of the Mercedes-powered team.

The British billionaire told selected journalists at Albert Park that Saturday's announcement was just the first part of the new Brawn collaboration.

"I think, even in the next three to four weeks, we would all like to see this develop into a more complete relationship. We will have to see," Branson said.

The first step - perhaps after next weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix - will be obtaining permission for a substantially new livery, after a few Virgin logos were hurriedly added to the white and yellow BGP 001 for Saturday's running.

Slightly beyond that, applications for a name change - requiring the agreement of all the teams - are likely, and it is rumoured that some equity may also change hands.

Asked about the possibility of the 'Brawn' team becoming 'Virgin', Branson said: "It is certainly possible."

"I don't think the team want to have the name not promoting anything, everybody knows it has a great engineer (Ross Brawn) so there is not the need for it to be named after an engineer."

"That (the name) may well change, but we have to see what happens," said Branson, who may attend a few more races this season.

In the past, Virgin has been courted vigorously by F1 figures including Adrian Reynard and Eddie Jordan, so Branson was visibly delighted with his timing when Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello dominated qualifying on Saturday.

"I'm a lucky bastard!" he grinned in conversation with the British broadcaster BBC.

E.A, Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

[cosworth151]

So Branson may rename the team Virgin.

Maybe Larry Flynt will buy a chunk of USF1, I mean, USGPE. (Sorry, Bernie) He could rename it Harlot. 

[SennaMan]

So Branson may rename the team Virgin.

Maybe Larry Flynt will buy a chunk of USF1, I mean, USGPE. (Sorry, Bernie) He could rename it Harlot. 

very apt cossie - well, generally in this world he who pays the piper calls the tune but I disagree with Sir Richard when he says:

"I don't think the team want to have the name not promoting anything, everybody knows it has a great engineer (Ross Brawn) so there is not the need for it to be named after an engineer."

Why not? He was the guy responsible for the cars creation and VIRGIN-BRAWN has a 'ring' to it even though it may draw its fair share of bad jokes.

Remember the REPCO BRABHAM team - nothing wrong in combining two names that identify the sponsor and the cars creator in my view.

[cosworth151]

"I don't think the team want to have the name not promoting anything, everybody knows it has a great engineer (Ross Brawn) so there is not the need for it to be named after an engineer."

McLaren. Williams. Tyrrell. Surtees. Brabham. Stewart. Prost.

Ferrari.

I think any of these mean far, far more than passing corporate names like Footwork or even Benetton.

As far as a double name, how about BMW-Sauber, Gold Leaf Team Lotus.

[Dare]

I liked the named Brawn GP.Why can't Branson
just leave things alone and give the people who deserve
it a little credit

[Steven Roy]

I can't see the problem with Branson naming the team if he is paying for it.  Brawn was given the team and is a paid employee.  The only reason the team has his name is because Honda had to get out in a hurry and he was the most respected person around so it got his name.  Branson investing gives them a future something Brawn on his own can't do.

[Alianora La Canta]

If the team is renamed this year, then in theory it has to be a double-barrelled name; when Spyker took over Midland, the team got permission to change the name, but could only add Spyker to the name rather than take Midland off as well.

[SennaMan]

as I understand it the team already has a double-barrelled name - isn't the official name

BRAWN-MERCEDES?

so:

VIRGIN-BRAWN-MERCEDES or BRAWN-VIRGIN-MERCEDES or BRAWN-MERCEDES-VIRGIN

or:

VBM or BVM or BMV!

take ya pick

[Chameleon]

I dunno - I kinda like the idea of Brawny-Virgin...

[cosworth151]

I kind of like BMV. That's where we get our driving licences and auto registrations here in the U.S. - Bureau of Motor Vehicles!

[SennaMan]

I dunno - I kinda like the idea of Brawny-Virgin...

mmmmmm Chameleon, ya like 'em strong huh? Lol.

[Dare]

I can't see the problem with Branson naming the team if he is paying for it.  Brawn was given the team and is a paid employee.  The only reason the team has his name is because Honda had to get out in a hurry and he was the most respected person around so it got his name.  Branson investing gives them a future something Brawn on his own can't do.

In the future Renault and Ferrari will simply be

ING and Marlboro

[AJM]

i read somewhere else that the Virgin sponsorship ends in Malaysia - was only for 2 races at around $250,000 per race.

[Scott]

That would throw a different twist on it.  I think we all hope that Brawn secures seasonal sponsorhip, not a few one-off's.  I think virigin would be poorly thought of if they were only around for a couple of races here and there.

[Wizzo]

I would be very shocked indeed if Virgin was offering Brawn a 'pay as you go' package, although I wouldn't put it past Mr Branson, he is one of the most successful business men in the world after all. Hopefully, after their performance in Australia they have a list of missed calls from prospective sponsors.

As for the name change, I can understand a double barrelled name such as Brawn - Virgin but to rename the team under a sole Virgin brand is madness. F1 teams need a brand and identity too, I doubt if many people would remember the name Williams if the team had been re-branded by their various sponsors over the years. Less informed people, (and I know plenty of them), would be saying Whatever happen to team Rothmans?

Keep the name Brawn I say.