Fans hit out at Virgin name
Dinnington, Monday: F1 fans have expressed continued outrage over the use of the name “Virgin Racing” by the new-for-2010 Formula One team, claiming that the Virgin name should not be appropriated by such an undeserving outfit.
Controversial: The unpopularly named Virgin Racing
The Virgin team participated in their first F1 group test at Jerez last week, with a troubled start early in the week leading to a more promising run by Lucas di Grassi on Saturday. However, controversy still surrounds the team – run by British-based Manor Motorsport – because of its name.
“The name Virgin evokes a very strong emotional connection to Mary, the mother of Jesus,” one fan reasoned, “and all of the history and tradition associated with her. It is simply not right that a new F1 team can turn up out of nowhere and name themselves as if they had some sort of connection to the Holy Mother. They’re not even the right nationality – Mary was from Judea whereas this ragtag bunch of nobodies are just British.”
The team themselves, however, have acknowledged that their name carries other associations but that they will be proud to continue the heritage left by Mary: “No one can take away what she achieved, and we will be proud to add to that list of achievements,” team principal John Booth was quoted as saying.
The view that Virgin should not be permitted to use such an iconic and historic name is shared by fans from around the world: “We can’t have people just going round naming things whatever they want. That would be ridiculous,” one Greek fan commented.
The British press, however, are largely positive about the name: “There’s something fitting about the re-emergence of the Virgin at this time,” one tabloid editor explained, “at the same time as we are experiencing the Second Coming in the form of Lewis Hamilton. Or is it Jenson Button now? I’ll just have to check.”
Okay, this article is taking the name completely out of context. The team’s main sponsorship is from Richard Branson’s Virgin group. The group which consists Virgin Records, Virgin Atlantic Airways and even Virgin Galactic to name but a few of his ventures. The history behind the naming of his company is that it is to say something about his youth of when he set up the company. Derive from that what you want to believe… The almost ironic use of the literal meaning of virgin in this context also befits the nature that 2010 is this team’s virgin year in the sport. If you are so naive to think that the use of Virgin in this context is not befitting because of it’s religious connotations then a closer examination of the team’s livery might be needed. A quick look at the end plates of the front wing clearly displays the distinctive virgin logo, which has adorned many jetliners over the last 20 years, as well as CDs, record stores, drinks bottles and many other products of the Virgin Group set up by Richard Branson.
I cannot give any credence to the vilification of the Virgin-Racing team for the use of that word. To claim that it is inappropriate or not fitting for such an iconic and historic word, shows a great lack of knowledge of 20th century history and icons of that era. Branson being one of Great Britain’s greatest exports of the 20th Century and to say his brand name is not fitting is comical at best.
What this team is doing could well be seen as a noble act for F1. Other than USF1, which have yet to be seen at a F1 track, Virgin Racing is the only team to solely use CFD technology to design their car. In an era that is having to find massive cost cuts, improve efficiency and work towards the future more than ever, Virgin have made massive achievements in getting the car to a circuit for testing and start to make it competitive. It is yet to be seen whether they will be competitive in a race, however they are the guinea pigs, they are pushing the boundary of engineering. They are fully in the spirit of F1 racing and certainly deserve to be there, using what ever name they like.
Good reply, Dan… bang on target.
Haha, the articles on this site are pretty damn funny, but the comments that take them seriously are even funnier!
Stephen, you have it completely correct.
I read Runoff Area all the time and must make a point to compliment the writers more often. (compliment alert!) Satire is generally more difficult than straight news, and they do a bang-up job here.
oh, and Dan: USF1 is using a windtunnel, so Virgin really “is the only team to solely use CFD technology to design their car.” Breaking Virgin ground, they are
How come nobody bothered to put a bold ‘FAIL’ under that one?
Thanks guys – (polite) feedback is always welcome!
And Dan, for the future please remember – comment is free, but ridicule is priceless.
I too am a Virgin, Dan, and I feel your pain. I had a chance with “cross eyed Mary”, but the locomotive’s breath was too much to bear. Ian beat me to it.
How long has the Virgin label been in business? I guess that current times a virgin is a endangered creation. This poor guy who is not happy, should start at ground level and do something. By try and jump straight to the top and sort something out is a bit of attention seeking.
Haha love the article, The comments make it so much better especially when they have the depth and anger such as dan’s. Brilliant! For someone who writes so clearly and eloquently states his impassioned argument he clearly is a little slow…
I wonder did Dan read the “Please Note” section at the top of the page…???
Good stuff Andy!!
excellent article, in fact every article is priceless. it’s very hard to be funny while telling a whopper of a lie and making it very convincing, the people who write up these pieces are nothing short of genious.
keep up the great work, i’m looking forward to the write-ups as the season progresses.
@ DAN,
Jeez dude you need to switch off or somethin’ before you get yourself a heart attack.
And here I thought they would protest cause clearly Timo and Lucas aren’t virgins.
Not that I’d know.