Branson to Decide on Brawn Future after Abu Dhabi

Although they have enjoyed a more than fruitful relationship inside Formula One this season, Brawn GP and Virgin Group might part ways at the end of the season. Although not confirmed by either Sir Richard Branson or Ross Brawn, the split seems inevitable, as the Brackley based team has become too high-class of a team for the former to keep sponsoring.

As admitted by Branson himself, helping the team out with a few Virgin stickers shortly after they'd just managed to escape bankruptcy was fun enough, but the sponsorship rates have gone increasingly up since Brawn started winning race after race this season. Now that they are world champions, it's likely that Branson will not afford staying on the boat as sponsor.

“It was the perfect relationship. Virgin loves to support an underdog but they are now one of the most expensive teams out there and certainly not underdogs any more,” said Branson to BBC Radio 5 Live.

However, the British billionaire doesn't want to rush into any decision for the time being, but make an official announcement after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Earlier this year, he was heavily linked with a sponsorship deal with newly entrants Manor Grand Prix. Switching to an underdog once again may prove to be the wisest decision, now that he's profited so much off of it in 2009.

“But we will make an announcement in the next month but at the moment we just want to celebrate a magnificent season with the Brawn team, Jenson and Rubens Barrichello, who did fantastically also,” added Branson.

“I don't think in our wildest dreams we thought this would happen. I knew they had a good car, as I happened to know one of the test drivers. But when I got on a plane to Melbourne with some Virgin stickers in my bag, having just shaken hands and given them some money, the last thing I expected was a first and second in the championship race,” concluded the Virgin Group boss.