The deal was signed by the team's commercial supremo David Butler on the eve of the Australian Grand Prix, won by Brawn GP's Jenson Button. Branson cut short a skiing holiday to fly to Melbourne on one of his own planes to witness the team's first race. A pdf for the Virgin logo was sent by email from London and vinyl stickers cut in Melbourne to be mounted on the car. There was no time to modify the team’s uniforms.
The deal, which saw three Virgin stickers on what turned out to be the race-winning cars, is likely to be extended in a fresh agreement in two weeks. The agreement may see Virgin Group take a substantial shareholding in the team and also become its title sponsor. It is unlikely, however, to see the team’s car rebranded as a Virgin for the 2009 season although that may be possible for 2010 onwards.
Whatever deal is eventually signed, it will be for a small amount of money thought to be less than US$10 million ........
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