British entrepreneur Richard Branson's [ Images ] Virgin Group has agreed a substantial sponsorship deal with the new Brawn GP team, both sides announced at the Australian Grand Prix [ Images ] on Saturday.

Branson told a news conference at the Albert Park circuit that he had signed the deal only four hours before stepping on a plane for Australia [ Images ] and would use the Formula One team to promote a clean fuel revolution.

"Over the years Virgin has had the great honour of partnering with technical geniuses and I truly believe that (team owner) Ross Brawn [ Images ] is to F1 what Burt Ratan is to space travel with Virgin Galactic," he added.

Brawn, who have taken over from departed Honda, will compete in Sunday's season-opening race among the favourites and with Virgin branding on their white cars.