Red Bull set to shut down Formula 1 factory on March 27

Formula 1

Red Bull set to shut down Formula 1 factory on March 27

The Milton Keynes-based team also supports further race postponements due to the Coronavirus

Ian Parkes

Wednesday 18 March 2020 17:54

Red Bull has become the first Formula 1 team to confirm its shut down plans in light of the August summer break being brought forward.

Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the FIA has confirmed the usual 14-day factory shutdown for all teams in August will now become a 21-day consecutive break across late March and April.

Red Bull has stated it will shut down its Milton Keynes base from March 27, albeit noting it may change due to the flux of the current situation.

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A Red Bull statement read: "In light of the escalating COVID-19 pandemic, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing is in support of the decision taken by Formula One and the FIA to bring forward the annual shutdown from August to March/April 2020 and extend it to 21 days.

"As a team, we currently plan to shut down on 27th March for a three-week period, however, due to the ever-changing nature of the pandemic there may be some flexibility around these dates. "Whilst we would all love to return to racing, the severity of this global pandemic is changing by the hour and the impact transcends our sport."

Following the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix, and postponement of the subsequent races in Bahrain, Vietnam and China, it appears certain the events in the Netherlands, Spain and Monaco in May will also be deferred.

The Red Bull statement added: "We, therefore, agree with the measures being taken to reduce the risk of transmission and will support any further race postponements that are deemed necessary. "The health, safety and wellbeing of our team, guests, fans and the local communities we visit are our absolute priority and we are taking every possible precaution to mitigate the spread of the virus.

"As such, we will also be taking extra precautions as a team to protect our workforce while they are in the factory by implementing special working measures, guided by the UK Government and medical professionals. "We share the disappointment of our fans and partners that purchased tickets to attend this year’s postponed Grands Prix and our well wishes go to our McLaren and Pirelli colleagues recovering from the COVID-19 virus, as well as the McLaren team members currently quarantined in Australia."