Virgin Racing has agreed a long-term technical partnership with McLaren as the team strives to make its mark in Formula One.

Further details of the fire which crippled a Canadian submarine and claimed the life of one of its seamen, as well as the heroic rescue effort to return the vessel and its crew safely to shore, were expected to emerge today.

TUGS last night connected towlines to the stricken Canadian submarine drifting for the past three days in waters off the west coast.