McLaren CEO Zak Brown takes dig at Racing Point over Covid approach

Formula 1

McLaren CEO Zak Brown takes dig at Racing Point over Covid approach

Lance Stroll's positive test has caused a degree of controversy

Ian Parkes & Will Gray

Friday 23 October 2020 15:33 Updated: 15:55

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McLaren CEO Zak Brown has criticised Racing Point over its approach to Covid-19 testing in the wake of the controversy surrounding Lance Stroll's positive case.

Stroll sustained a stomach upset ahead of the recent Eifel Grand Prix that forced him to miss qualifying and the race, and although he self-isolated before flying home to Switzerland, he latest tested positive.

The Canadian, who had suffered similar symptoms after the Russian GP but twice tested negative, had been advised by his personal doctor not to take a test.

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That led to Brown aiming a dig at Stroll and Racing Point, claiming all teams should insist on testing should anyone fall unwell regardless of the symptoms.

“I don’t know if (the doctor) was Dr Mallya, Dr Seuss, maybe it was Dr Dre, but next time around maybe we should be testing when anyone has any sort of symptoms,” said Brown.

“This disease is extremely contagious and extremely dangerous. I think the FIA and Formula One have done a very good job putting on these grands prix. I think if you look at other sports they have had bigger issues.

“It requires a lot of trust, transparency and communication and responsibility from all the teams to make sure we have not only safety within our own teams but within the whole racing community.”

McLaren was the first team to have team members test positive for Covid-19 at the aborted Australian Grand Prix in March and Brown says they “won’t take any risks, won’t gamble” and will test any individual that shows any symptoms.

“If I look at the Racing Point incidents, I would probably test anyone who isn’t feeling well, daily,” added Brown. “In Australia, we had someone who didn’t feel very well. We took the very quick decision to isolate.

“When the test came back positive (we chose) to isolate the team and we knew that would shut us down for the race. I know the (Racing Point) doctor didn’t think a test was positive, maybe in hindsight that should be different.”

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