Actually LL, on the 737NG Boeing use Balanced Field Length Figures. They are only applicable if the TODR = ASDA.
Otherwise the figures can be manipulated to achieve a higher V1 if a greater TODA / ASDA is available. But I'm sure you already knew that. Moral to the story, had the guy used a greater runway length, he could have achieved a higher V1 speed.
Probably not a good idea to throw stones at our piston bretheran just because they sling off at a Virgin aircraft. I've seen many other operators do just the same.