Virgin Racing fighting talk at MVR-02 launch 2011

Timo Glock and Jerome d'Ambrosio at the launch with the new Virgin Racing MVR-02

The now partially Marussia-owned team launched the MVR-02 at the BBC television centre in London.

Marussia Virgin Racing’s new CEO, Andy Webb did not beat around the bush regarding the team’s goals, “Firstly, this team has serious ambitions and we have a clear plan towards being able to compete at the front of the grid.”

He added, “The team’s racing aspirations are underpinned by Marussia’s ambitious plans to position itself firmly on the worldwide automotive radar and we look forward to a great deal of exciting collaboration between the two programmes.”

The MVR-02, with a notably lower nose than many of the other single seaters unveiled already this year, has once again been designed solely and uniquely with the aid of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) rather than a wind tunnel.

But rumours the MVR-02′s exhaust outlets might be similar to Renault’s radical front-exiting solution proved wide of the mark.

Hot on the heels of today’s launch of the MVR-02 – Marussia Virgin Racing’s challenger for the forthcoming Formula One season – the team’s 2011 driver line-up of Timo Glock and Jerome D’Ambrosio revealed their excitement about the new season and the progress made by the team over the winter months.

Timo Glock will be the first to get behind the wheel of the new car during the first two days of the four day programme, while Jerome D’Ambrosio will get his first run in the new MVR-02 for the final two days of testing in the south of Spain.

Timo Glock
“Today is a very special day for everybody in the team. It’s a moment we’ve all been working very hard for, and to be able to be here at the second car launch for the team is something very special. Everyone is really looking forward to our second season in Formula One. Having waited so long to see the MVR-02 come to life, I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the new car at the test in Jerez. Getting to grips with the new Pirelli tyres will continue to be an interesting challenge, following on from our first two tests with the PZeros in Abu Dhabi last year and in Valencia last week. I’m really looking forward to putting the first kilometres on the car and getting down to business preparing for what should be a very positive season for us.”

Jerome D’Ambrosio
“I couldn’t be more excited. I have finally seen the first Formula One car I will race in and it’s fantastic. This is a really special day and I can’t wait to drive the new car for the first time later this week. The team has really done a great job, and now we have to keep pushing hard and begin to understand how the new car works. Personally, I have done a great deal of work to get myself into the best physical and mental shape and I’m ready to start racing. I really can’t wait to drive the MVR-02.”

Source: YallaF1

Glock insists he's staying at Virgin

Timo Glock has revealed he will continue to drive for Virgin Racing in Formula One next season

There have been reports that the 28-year-old German, who joined the new team from Toyota at the end of 2009, wanted to leave Virgin who finished their debut season in 12th and last place, without a single point.

But Glock told the team's website: "I am definitely driving for Virgin Racing.

"There has been a lot of speculation about me wanting to leave the team, but it is not about leaving a team, it is about wanting to do better and keep moving forward.

"It is not just 99.9 percent certain that I will stay, as has been reported - it is 100 percent certain that I am staying.

"I think with everything we have learned this year we can take a very good step up next season.

"This is a great team of people who have given blood, sweat and tears to our first season. Some people haven't seen that with their own eyes, like I have, so it's easy to criticise or be cynical."

Glock's team-mate this year was Brazilian Lucas di Grassi and the team are now considering their options for the second seat.

And although the German wasn't forthcoming with any names, he did reveal that an announcement could be made before the end of the year.

"I think it is right to take our time and make sure we have the best combination of youth and experience, plus make sure we have the best information going back into the team at testing and races to ensure we can develop as quickly as we want to and keep moving forward," he said.

"I don't think we will have to wait too much longer for that news - hopefully before Christmas!"

Source: Planet-F1