One of Virgin Racing’s core programmes away from the race track is based on thought leadership. Our ‘Innovation Summits’ draw together industry-leading figures to discuss and debate issues relating to mobility & sustainability.
Earlier today, ahead of the FIA Formula E Championship finale in London, we drew together a panel of leading experts:
Alejandro Agag: Formula E Holdings – CEO
Sir Richard Branson: Virgin Group – Founder
Bruno Zago: Hewlett Packard Enterprise – Sustainability Manager
Manoella Wilbaut: DHL – Head of Global Commercial Developments & Sustainability
Jeff Schumacher: BCG Digital ventures – Founder and CEO
“At Virgin Group we have a curiosity for technology and for finding things that look after people and planet.” Alex Tai: CEO and Team Principal – Virgin Racing
“In the future, we need to graduate to a fully-electric transportation environment. We want to be a part of that development and Alejandro (through Formula E) has created that platform.” Alex Tai: CEO and Team Principal – Virgin Racing
“Formula E tests man and machine, and these machines are the machines of the future.” Alex Tai: CEO and Team Principal – Virgin Racing
“To deliver the world, we need to understand the world. Innovation is everywhere.” Manoella Wilbaut: DHL – Head of Global Commercial Developments & Sustainability
“We work closely with Virgin Racing to collect data from the drivers, car and track and use that information to give the team the opportunity and insights to improve what they do on the track.” Bruno Zago: Hewlett Packard Enterprise – Sustainability Manager
“Today, when something goes wrong with the car we have to take it into the garage. What if in the future, it was already talking to the garage via The Cloud?” Bruno Zago: Hewlett Packard Enterprise – Sustainability Manager
“For us [at HPE] it’s about renewables but it’s also about reducing the amount of energy we use.” Bruno Zago: Hewlett Packard Enterprise – Sustainability Manager
“Formula E is a step in the right direction [in the development of electric technology] and is pushing innovation forward. It’s doing a great job in trying to get all aspects of clean energy in terms of cars improved.” Sir Richard Branson: Founder – Virgin Group
“At Virgin Atlantic, we banned cigarettes on our planes and then we were the first to do it on trains. We’ve always been innovators.” Sir Richard Branson: Founder – Virgin Group
“Formula E is spearheading sport for clean energy. Cities have given their streets for this sport and I’d love to see us going down Park Lane or Hyde Park Corner next year or the year after. It will really bring Formula E to life if there could be a real street race in London. That would be brilliant.” Sir Richard Branson: Founder – Virgin Group
“We have the Carbon War Room and the Rocky Mountain Institute which are going into countries and showing how they can be carbon neutral. We have a whole road map for China and they’re taking it on board to show how they can save money and go clean. If you can get a whole country to move from the centre it can make a big difference.” Sir Richard Branson: Founder – Virgin Group
“For 50 years, people have been writing us off. We’ve kept on reinventing ourselves and Virgin is very much alive and kicking.” Sir Richard Branson: Founder – Virgin Group
“If governments said that 50% of cars must be electric in 10 years or 100% within 50 years, then we would make that happen. We need governments to set those kinds of ground rules.” Sir Richard Branson: Founder – Virgin Group
“Elon Musk loves the concept of Formula E and we need people like him in the world.” Alejandro Agag: Formula E Holdings – CEO
“You can’t really thank a park, but I’m going to thank the park! We’re grateful that Battersea Park became the home of Formula E in London. Motorsport history was made here when Nelson Piquet Jr won the first Formula E Championship last year. We want to have a race in the streets of London and to have the backing of people like Richard is very important.” Alejandro Agag: Formula E Holdings – CEO
“In 50-100 years, I believe we will be the leading motorsport division in the world.” Alejandro Agag: Formula E Holdings – CEO