Virgin Racing team principal John Booth has reiterated his team's commitment to Formula One.
Plans are 'well advanced' for next year's car
Team principal John Booth has reiterated Virgin Racing's commitment to Formula One.
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone recently remarked that two teams "really shouldn't be there," suggesting a 20-car grid would be ideal, as was the case for many seasons prior to this.
Although Ecclestone did not name the teams, the assumption was that Hispania Racing and Virgin were those in the firing line.
In their debut seasons they, like fellow newcomer Lotus, have been a consistent backmarker, with none of the trio collecting a single point between them.
But with owner Richard Branson's backing, and with the Virgin brand having attracted many other sponsors, Booth maintains his team have no intention of walking away.
Comments
"This time of year there are always comments from certain quarters, but we are here for the long haul," confirmed Booth, speaking ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.
"Plans are in place and well advanced for next year. We've brought eight new sponsors to Formula One this season and so we've a solid base to go forward on.
"I would absolutely rubbish those stories, although perhaps we haven't kept certain people informed of our position.
"Maybe we should have done, but there are no thoughts other than going forward next year."
Although Virgin are bottom of the constructors' standings, based on their highest position in a grand prix - Lotus have had a 13th and Hispania two 14th places compared to one for the Yorkshire-based team - Booth is more than happy with what has been achieved this year.
Focus
"We are pretty much where we expected to be," added Booth.
"We're very much enjoying our battle with Lotus, and overall to be about three to three and a half per cent off the front teams, we should be very pleased with that.
"We still have a few steps forward to come this year that we didn't have on the car because of reliability problems at the beginning of the year.
"It means the focus has changed for the second half, so there is still a little more to come this year, although we are working full speed on the new car for next year."
