Virgin Racing's Richard Branson has targeted 10th place in the Constructors' Championship after learning that such a result would bring his team a £17m pay day.

The prize fund is only available to the top ten teams in the Constructors' Championship, and currently Lotus holds that position with Virgin twelfth of the twelve teams contesting the 2010 season.

Informed by team chief executive officer Graeme Lowdon of the prize pot, Branson - never one to pass up on a money making opportunity - said: "There's some money? You never told me that. It does make a difference.

"Whereas I said I wouldn't mind about tenth place, I've suddenly taken a big interest," he added, according to the BBC.

However, Branson and his team shouldn't start making plans for the dosh just yet. Currently, in addition to being twelfth in the championship, the British outfit has a finish rate of 40% - having finished 6 times from 15 starts. While Hispania has a finish rate of 50%, Lotus is on 57%.

Furthermore, while Virgin has completed only 58.9% of possible racing laps this season, the team's best result has been a 14th (Malaysia) and two 18ths (Spain and Turkey), while Lotus has a 14th (China) and three 15ths and is widely considered to be the best of the new teams.

"The more times we can get the two cars finishing then that would be great," said Branson. "If we can get a point or two, then even better."