Virgin Racing Setting Their Sights on 10th Place and $25 million bonus

Virgin Racing are no longer looking to really challenge any of the main teams in Formula One. Virgin are now setting their sights on a 10th place finish in the Championship.

Formula One’s rules governing prize money are complicated, but only the top 10 in the Constructors’ Championship are given a handout. If you finish in the top 10 then that could mean $25 million bonus, and that is a great deal of money for one of the newcomers like Virgin, Lotus or Hispania.

When informed of the potential pot on offer, it perked up the ears of team owner Sir Richard Branson who was unaware of just how much money was at stake.

“There’s some money? You never told me that,” Branson said to CEO Graeme Lowdon, who replied: “It does make a difference.”

Lowdon added: “We have a long-term plan for the team, so getting a 10th-placed finish in the championship would be a bonus.

“If we get a point then it really would make a massive difference.”

When told the exact figure, a shocked Branson said: “Bloody hell, well yeah, I would like to get 10th place.

“Whereas I said I wouldn’t mind about 10th place, I’ve suddenly taken a big interest.”