After splitting with Nick Wirth, the next rumour at Virgin is that the struggling team is set to move into the former Arrows and Super Aguri facility in Leafield (UK).
Since entering formula one based on the F3 team Manor, the outfit has been located at Dinnington, but with the crucial technical headquarters at Wirth Research in Banbury.

It is rumoured Leafield has been proposed as the ideal base after the Wirth split by team consultant Pat Symonds.

Symonds is the previously highly-respected engineer who was banned from a direct operational role in F1 following the Renault crashgate scandal two years ago.

Virgin Racing chief executive Graeme Lowdon told the Sheffield Star newspaper: “We are always evaluating our options but we have had no discussions with them (Leafield).

“It is way too early to make any decisions on that. We are reviewing everything and looking at what the best solution is going forwards.”

Rumours linking Flavio Briatore with Ferrari have shifted into a higher gear.

In July, it emerged that the disgraced, ousted and banned former Renault boss had visited the famous Italian team’s Maranello headquarters.

The visit unleashed a flood of rumours, including talk of a possible consultancy role with Ferrari.

Now, according to the major German daily Die Welt, 60-year-old Italian Briatore has visited Ferrari no fewer than two more times in recent weeks.

Additionally, Briatore was in the Monza paddock last weekend, as was Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, and Fiat chiefs John Elkann and Sergio Marchionne.

Briatore was also seen inside the Ferrari pits.

Welt reports that the charismatic Italian is endeavouring to have his FIA ban reduced so that he can return to a direct operational role in F1 before 2013.

If successful, he could replace Stefano Domenicali as Ferrari’s team boss, the newspaper said.

Briatore was asked about his Monza visit by German television Sky.

“I am meeting with Bernie (Ecclestone) and then flying back to London,” he answered at the Italian circuit before the race.

“It’s fantastic to be back, to see friends and to be in Italy,” added Briatore. “Ferrari are on pole and everyone is happy. Just wonderful.”

Briatore, who is Fernando Alonso’s manager and former team boss at Renault, played down suggestions he is itching to return to F1.

“I’m feeling very good and I’m happy with the way things are,” said Briatore.

To Italy’s Sky Sport 24, he indicated that a return to formula one in a commercial role is more likely.

“We will see what happens in the future,” said Briatore. “Next week I will not be in Singapore; I am also perfectly happy at home.”

Rumours continue to mount about Flavio Briatore and a major future role for the Italian in formula one.

At Silverstone last weekend, the former Renault boss – banned for life by the FIA amid the crash-gate scandal last year – was once again spotted in the paddock.

It was his third appearance in five races and less than eight weeks, including his famous visit to Monaco and then his stroll on the Valencia grid.

Briatore was wearing a VIP paddock pass, which can only be issued by his friend, business partner and F1′s chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

British grand prix winner Mark Webber, still managed by Briatore, gave the flamboyant Italian a mention in the post-race press conference.

“I spoke to Flavio last night and he said ‘Mark, just make a good start’,” said the Australian.

A deal with the FIA means Briatore, 60, can resume a direct operational role in F1 in 2013, and speculation is hinting at a role alongside Ecclestone in the area of sponsorship.

Another bearer of a VIP paddock pass at Silverstone was McLaren chairman Ron Dennis, who is reportedly in trouble with the BBC for jokingly cutting the wire to Eddie Jordan’s earpiece live on television after the race.

Flavio Briatore’s visit to the Monaco paddock earlier this month was reportedly part of a plan for the Italian to return to formula one.

Due to the crashgate scandal, the ousted former Renault boss is currently banned from holding a direct operational role in F1 until 2013, and he has ruled out returning as a team boss.

But Finland’s Turun Sanomat reports that Briatore, 60, held “subtle negotiations” with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone in Monaco.

The article said 79-year-old Ecclestone is not planning to retire, but does intend to delegate some of his responsibilities and “sees Briatore as a natural successor”.

Turun Sanomat cites British sources as saying Briatore will shortly be responsible for the acquisition of new sponsors with the Ecclestone-led Formula One Management.

The sources said Briton Ecclestone enjoys the negotiations with grand prix hosts, promoters and governments and does not intend to delegate those tasks.

Ecclestone said last month that his personal friend and business partner Briatore could soon “take up a role in the promotion of formula one”.

And at the height of the FOTA/FIA political war last year, when the teams were threatening to set up a rival series, departing president Max Mosley said Briatore “sees himself as the Bernie”.
(GMM)

F1’s governing body on Monday announced that, after talks with Singapore race-fixing conspirators Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds, a settlement has been reached.

Briatore and Symonds were banned from motor racing by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council for ordering Nelson Piquet Jr to crash during the 2008 Singapore GP, but the former Renault chiefs won an appeal against the decision in the French courts.

The FIA’s appeal against that decision was pending.

But it was announced on Monday that the duo have now “expressed their regrets and presented their apologies to the FIA”.

In return, the Paris-based Federation has dropped its legal action, and Briatore and Symonds have agreed to “abstain from having any operational role in formula one until 31 December 2012″.
(GMM)