Booth named Virgin team principal
Booth will lead Virgin Racing, which has taken on Timo Glock and Lucas di Grassi for the 2010 season
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Wednesday, 13, Jan 2010 11:59
By Adam Leveridge
The founder of Manor Grand Prix John Booth will take on the role of Virgin Racing team principal after it was announced that Alex Tai, who led the outfit through its launch phase, will be moving on to other projects.
In December Manor Grand Prix was rebranded as the Virgin Racing team at a launch event in Notting Hill, London, and the outfit confirmed its driver line-up and the appointment of its senior members, including Alex Tai as chief executive and team principal.
However, Virgin has revealed that, as part of "a planned evolution" of the team, Tai will relinquish his role to Booth, who has been working as the team's sporting director since its launch at the end of last year after founding Manor Motorsport.
"John's impressive racing pedigree and reputation is beyond question in the critical role of team principal," said Virgin Racing chairman Etienne de Villiers.
"He is one of the founders of the original Manor Grand Prix team and a key architect of its successful formation last year.
"We knew this day was coming but we are still sorry to see Alex move on from his executive duties.
"He will continue in his role as director of special projects for Virgin and will retain a close relationship with the team."
Tai added: "Finding new opportunities and the challenge of starting new ventures is where my focus and interest lies.
"I am proud that we have taken the team from concept to reality in a short period of time and I am confident that Virgin Racing will be in trusted and experienced hands."
At the launch event in London, Virgin announced GP2 star Lucas di Grassi would be linked up with Timo Glock for the 2010 season.