Virgin completes successful shakedown

The new Virgin-Cosworth VR-01 has been given its first seal of approval after both Lucas di Grassi and Timo Glock completed two successful shakedown tests around the Stowe circuit at Silverstone.

Glock debuted the new car on Thursday and then remained in the car for Friday morning where he completed 42 successful laps.

“It was a fantastic moment for myself and the whole team to see the VR-01 come alive. It’s great to be back in a racing car.” he said.

Formula One rookie, Lucas di Grassi, was also given his first taste of the new car and completed a trouble-free 36 lap run on Friday afternoon.

“It feels good. It feels like home!” said di Grassi.

“I’m really happy and our first impressions of the car are very positive. It’s amazing what the team has achieved in such a short space of time.

“It was important for me to learn as much as possible here so I can start to put some real mileage on the car next week.”

Designer Nick Wirth was also delighted with the shakedown, which preludes the team’s testing debut at Jerez next week.

“I am delighted that we have successfully shaken down the VR-01,” he said. “To achieve 100km of running out of the box is a great achievement with only a few minor issues along the way.

“We have acquired some good information to feed straight back into design for the development of new parts, which we may even be testing next week. All in all this is a very pleasing conclusion to a memorable week for Virgin Racing.”

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