Like a Virgin, tested for the very first time

Posted at 12:00am on 04 February 2010

LONDON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - The new Virgin Racing Formula One car completed its first laps on Thursday with Germany's Timo Glock at the wheel.

"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," the former Toyota driver said after the initial "shakedown" at Silverstone's Stowe circuit.

Technical director Nick Wirth added: "After 10 challenging months, all the commitment and determination has finally paid off.

"Today was all about those tentative first few steps but the programme really gets underway tomorrow with a full day of on-track evaluation for both Timo and (Brazilian) Lucas (di Grassi)."

Virgin are one of four completely new teams due to participate in the championship this season and the first to show off a car designed entirely by computer and without recourse to wind tunnels.

The Cosworth-powered team's first proper test will be at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain next week.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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