01/11/2011
NEWS STORY
Mat Coch writes:
Virgin Racing has officially submitted its request to become known as Marussia ahead of the 2012 season. The application was lodged with the Formula One Commission as the team looks to strengthen ties with the Russian supercar company.
Marussia invested in to the team at the end of 2010, stepping up its involvement from sponsor to co-owner after an announcement at last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Normally teams are reluctant to change names as it can result in the loss of travel money the outfit may be eligible to. However as prize money is paid only to the top ten teams, and Virgin is currently residing twelfth in the Constructors' Championship, the team don't face such issues. It must still receive approval though for the new name to be accepted.
While the name change will signal an end to the Virgin's involvement as a team per se, it will remain a sponsor with the outfit.
Two other teams, Team Lotus and Lotus Renault GP, have also submitted requests to change name in a move which should hopefully end confusion between the two teams. Team Lotus have asked to be known as Caterham while Renault will look to take on the Lotus name for 2012.