Motor Sport:Virgin Racing celebrated an early victory as the first all-new Formula One team to present a 2010 car, unveiling a machine designed like no other.
The team have opted for an entirely digital approach, relying on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) rather than the familiar but expensive testing of scale models in a wind tunnel.
"The car just looks amazing," said Brazilian driver Lucas di Grassi, standing in front of the gleaming red and black liveried VR-01 in a photographic studio before the formal online presentation.
Germany's Timo Glock, who will kick off a two-day shakedown at Silverstone tomorrow before joining other teams in testing at Jerez in Spain next week, agreed.
"It's a really nice car," the former Toyota driver said. "I think we have some good ideas on the car. For me, it's a solid base to start for us to go testing. The design is already pretty good and now we have to sort out the speed.
"The real unique stuff will come in the season or later on in the year, but now for us it is important that the car is here and ready," Glock added.
Team principal John Booth, who secured the entry as Manor Grand Prix before partnering with Richard Branson's Virgin Group as one of four new teams this season, said it was "the culmination of a very emotional journey.
"I am immensely proud . . . I am blown away. When it rolled out of the workshop yesterday in all its glory, it was a very special moment."