Singapore – Marussia Virgin Racing and CNBC have joined forces in an exclusive global partnership that sees CNBC becoming the team’s official ‘Business Media Partner’ for the 2011 Formula One season, which gets underway on March 27 in Melbourne, Australia. The partnership gives CNBC branding on various Marussia Virgin Racing assets including its new Formula One car and driver’s racesuits, and in the paddock, as well as hospitality. Alongside this, the partnership provides business-to-business opportunities for existing and new commercial partners of the Marussia Virgin Racing Team through the reach of CNBC’s worldwide TV network and CNBC.com. CNBC’s global audience and the team’s fan following can also look forward to special CNBC programming around a number of marquee Grand Prix events throughout the year, which will provide insight into the team, the sport, the technology and some of the burning issues driving the future direction of Formula One.