30 March 2020

Red Bull boss Helmut Marko advised Formula 1 drivers to get coronavirus

Red Bull boss Helmut Marko has revealed he told the team's drivers to contract coronavirus before the season gets underway.

The start of the 2020 Formula 1 season has been pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with every race up to the Canadian Grand Prix on June 14 having already been postponed.

And Marko revealed to Austrian TV channel ORF that he had the idea of getting all the F1 and junior drivers together for a training camp so they could all get the virus before the season begins.

He said: "We have four Formula 1 drivers, and eight or 10 juniors.

"The idea was to organise a camp where we could bridge this mentally and physically somewhat dead time. And that would be the ideal time for the infection to come. 

“These are all strong young men in really good health. That way they would be prepared whenever the action starts. And you can be ready for what will probably be a very tough championship once it starts."

However, other members of the Red Bull management disagreed with the idea, with Marko adding: “Let’s put it this way: it has not been well received.”

Red Bull enter the 2020 season hoping to end six-time winner Lewis Hamilton's run of three successive Formula 1 World Drivers' Championships.

Many believe 22-year-old Max Verstappen to be the biggest rival to the Brit this year, while Red Bull also have seven-time Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo in their ranks.

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