Red Bull

Marko's 'coronavirus camp' plan for Red Bull drivers shot down in flames

Ian Parkes Monday 30 March 2020 10:32 Updated: 11:54

Helmut Marko has remarkably revealed suggesting to Red Bull the setting up of a camp in which the team's drivers would become deliberately infected with the coronavirus.

Red Bull's motorsport advisor believed that as strong, healthy individuals they would easily overcome the effects of the contagion, and then be immune prior to whenever the Formula 1 season started.

"We have four Formula 1 drivers, and eight or 10 juniors," said Marko, in an interview with Austrian television station ORF.

"The idea was to organise a camp where we could bridge this, somewhat dead time, mentally and physically. 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."

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Marko's idea for Max Verstappen, Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat, was not met with support.

Asked as to the reaction for his proposal, Marko added: "Let's put it this way, it has not been well-received."

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Marko's 'coronavirus camp' plan for Red Bull drivers shot down in flames

Marko's 'coronavirus camp' plan for Red Bull drivers shot down in flames