Virgin Brawn No More?

[Koz]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/8111469.stm

Virgin helped Brawn GP get off the ground when they formed after Honda pulled out of F1 in December 2008.

But the team's success is set to see their sponsorship rates rise.

"I suspect next year the price will be astronomical and we may have to look somewhere else with a smaller team," Branson told Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek.

Brawn GP's Jenson Button currently leads the drivers' standings, while the team are also top of the constructors' championship ahead of Sunday's British GP.

As a result, Ross Brawn's outfit has become a more attractive proposition for sponsorship, although Branson says his company have earned the benefit they wanted from the partnership.

"We have most likely got the mileage we needed from it," he added. "Their [Brawn GP's] value has gone from next to nothing to £50m a year and we're delighted for them."

With the budget-cap row in F1 reaching crisis point this week after eight leading teams - including Brawn - announced plans for a breakaway series, sponsorship is a key issue as teams and investors alike wait to see what form of competition goes ahead in 2010.

Branson called for "sense to prevail" and the sport to remain unified as the opposing sides seek a way forward.


"I think it would be a great pity [for them to split]," he said. "Both sides need to sit down and sense needs to prevail.

"There are good arguments on both sides. Certainly the cost base of Formula 1 needs to be reduced and most of the teams seem to agree to that.

"The difference between the two sides needs to be sorted out."

If a split does happen and a rival championship established, Brawn admits his team will need financial support from their cash-rich rivals to thrive.

"There has to be a structure which supports the small teams," said the team chief, whose outfit have no funding in place for 2010.

"I'm confident a system will be in place to provide the funding that teams like mine will need."

Brawn dismissed concern that a new championship made of teams from the Formula One Teams Association (Fota) could not match the financial pull of the historic Formula 1 brand.

"I think the Fota teams are confident that their sponsors will follow them into this championship," he said Brawn.

"They've had discussions with their sponsors and a lot of people see this as a new and exciting opportunity to re-shape Formula One."

I am begining Mister Max with his budget cap is right and prices should be dropped...

Hope it doesn't happen.

[wmcot]

So Branson has been in F1 for 6 months or so and is the expert on what is best for the sport? More likely that Brawn lost one race so he wants to pull his money out!

Feel free to hop into a balloon since F1 has lost your interest...

[Valve Bounce]

So Branson has been in F1 for 6 months or so and is the expert on what is best for the sport? More likely that Brawn lost one race so he wants to pull his money out!

Feel free to hop into a balloon since F1 has lost your interest...

Nah!! he made a play for bunsen's bird, and bunsen got all hot under the collar. Heated words were exchanged and it seems Branson is looking for a cooler "arrangement" where he won't get his fingers burnt.

[Koz]

So Branson has been in F1 for 6 months or so and is the expert on what is best for the sport? More likely that Brawn lost one race so he wants to pull his money out!

Feel free to hop into a balloon since F1 has lost your interest...

What I meant was, that a team that are already pretty double champions are having trouble securing sponsors.
Has nothing to do with them winning a single race or not, they have had enough publicity with their "rags-to-riches" performance this season.

We all know honda "financed" them this season but what about next season?
McLaren, BMW, Ferrari will never lack sponsers to race, but what about these guys?
Will they be able to secure enough funds to make a car capable of defending their championships next year?

Sure Branson hasn't been in F1 even a year, but surely something is wrong with this picture?

Yeah, I don't want to see a cheapo series, I want to see the best of the best competing for the gold, but if champions one year and not affording to race the next year, well that's just wrong.

[nigelred5]

I agree, he's essentially enjoying primary sponsorship on a fully funded potential championship team for peanuts, but who knows what they have for a budget next year. He's been pretty open that he's not going to break the bank on a team with an unknown future beyond this season. Branson's no fool.

[keysersoze]

This is a man who, by his own admission, has turned down hundreds of prior offers to sponsor an F1 team. At a paltry (for F1) 250K per race, Branson strikes me as a publicity hound, and a cheap one at that.

His modus operandi seems to be: flash his billions to get face time on TV, then never close a long-term deal.

Branson needs to spend a few hundred on a haircut and some dental work. Get that ugly man off the grid. :

[Valve Bounce]

Well, you can always fly QANTAS instead.

[Koz]

Anyone know how exactly much he "funded" Brawn this year?

Well, you can always fly QANTAS instead.

Bugger me, I ain't flying on one of those.. er.. road kill er.. air kill?? I'm too young to be swimming in the middle of the tasman!

[markabilly]

This is a man who, by his own admission, has turned down hundreds of prior offers to sponsor an F1 team. At a paltry (for F1) 250K per race, Branson strikes me as a publicity hound, and a cheap one at that.

His modus operandi seems to be: flash his billions to get face time on TV, then never close a long-term deal.

Branson needs to spend a few hundred on a haircut and some dental work. Get that ugly man off the grid. :

yep, scuzzy old goat who is into virgins, but he does make max and benrei look like they have some class compared to him

looks and acts like one of those classic dirty old men, who were into wishing they could be a porno stars in the early seventies

[leopard]

I think it's only about team name, virgin can stay supporting Brawn without having to put their name on the official team name. They may need to pouring forth more money if they want the team name to use their name. It's fairly logically acceptable if Brawn ask more premium for amount from sponsors, considering a) inflation, and b) Brawn is currently a skyrocketing team which rise quickly into the sky and have competence in the next season that flight of sponsors follow a predictable course.

It's only name, I wouldn't complain for anybody using my name or my avatar if I don't see it relevant and refer to something different...