The Virgin brand has experienced success in every branch it got involved in over the years. The record industry, the airline industry and even the British Rail industry turned out successful. But can Virgin succeed in F1?
“The Virgin brand has been in much more difficult circumstances [then we currently are in F1] in the past. When Richard Branson started in the record industry, that's not the easiest industry," explained Alex Tai, Virgin's Racing boss, to autosport.
“In the airline industry there were an incredible amount of dirty tricks, which have been well reported, that the Virgin brand had to stride through.
“Richard turned around British Rail into a fantastic rail franchise.
“These are all things that required an awful lot of determination. We have a certain amount of character that we bring to Formula 1.”
Virgin will undergo the great adventure alongside Manor GP which became Virgin Racing under the brand's sponsorship. It will be a first year for the team, and for Virgin under its own banner.
Tai believes that the open doors mentality currently going in Formula 1 should help the brand to succeed.
“What we're finding, and what I'm finding sitting on the Formula 1 Commission and in FOTA, is that everyone needs to look at the collective health of the sport, and we're finding that there's an awful lot of helpful assistance being given to us by other teams,” he said.
A solid business plan would be Virgin's way of succeeding in all industries. Formula 1 was no different. Therefore, according to the brand, everything should be alright.
“The Virgin brand has been in much more difficult circumstances [then we currently are in F1] in the past. When Richard Branson started in the record industry, that's not the easiest industry," explained Alex Tai, Virgin's Racing boss, to autosport.
“In the airline industry there were an incredible amount of dirty tricks, which have been well reported, that the Virgin brand had to stride through.
“Richard turned around British Rail into a fantastic rail franchise.
“These are all things that required an awful lot of determination. We have a certain amount of character that we bring to Formula 1.”
Virgin will undergo the great adventure alongside Manor GP which became Virgin Racing under the brand's sponsorship. It will be a first year for the team, and for Virgin under its own banner.
Tai believes that the open doors mentality currently going in Formula 1 should help the brand to succeed.
“What we're finding, and what I'm finding sitting on the Formula 1 Commission and in FOTA, is that everyone needs to look at the collective health of the sport, and we're finding that there's an awful lot of helpful assistance being given to us by other teams,” he said.
A solid business plan would be Virgin's way of succeeding in all industries. Formula 1 was no different. Therefore, according to the brand, everything should be alright.