Formula E racing team makes move to Silverstone Park

Formula E team DS Virgin Racing has completed the move of its operational arm to Silverstone Park – next to Silverstone Circuit.

The UK-based team, which has competed in the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship since its inception, moved in last summer in preparation for the category’s fourth season but has now put the finishing touches to the new premises.

Its 11,000 sq ft base is home to around 25 permanent staff, as well as housing the team’s cars, workshop bays, spare parts, engineering offices and multimedia meeting rooms.

The team’s commercial headquarters continue to be based in central London, while its operational arm at Silverstone is shared with those of its partner DS Automobiles in Satory, France – part of the PSA Group’s Centre of Excellence.

DS Virgin Racing team manager Leon Price, who oversees the facilities, said: “We looked at a number of locations but the high standard of facilities at Silverstone Park, together with the skillset and like-minded businesses on the doorstep, made it an easy choice. It’s great to be now fully settled in and to have a strong base, just a stone’s throw from the home of British racing, in which to prepare for the demands of the Formula E series.”

MEPC’s Roz Bird, commercial director at Silverstone Park, said: “DS Virgin Racing is a very exciting addition to our tenant roster because it’s a great name, operating at the highest levels and the company is passionate about innovation around electric vehicles and sustainability.

“This is something that MEPC welcomes as it rolls out its Responsible Property Management programme at Silverstone Park, which includes everything from retro-fitting smart meters for water and electricity through to launching a new pilot project to work with local secondary school pupils.

“With 35,000 sq ft of accommodation available to let and planning consent for over 2m sq ft, we aim to attract a full range of occupiers to Silverstone Park, to benefit from the high-quality environment, sense of community and business opportunities.

“We welcome DS Racing Virgin to Silverstone Park and wish them every success in their bid to win the FIA Formula E Championship in 2018.”