Helmut Marko, a member Red Bull's motorsport management, believes the team's Formula One drivers could benefit from deliberately being infected with the novel coronavirus, according to reports. His reasoning is that they can then be "ready" for the championship when it starts.
Sporting events across the globe has been suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak and the 76-year-old suggested that the "dead time" is the "ideal time for infection to come," according to
The Washington Post.
"We have four Formula One drivers, and eight or 10 juniors," Marko said, explaining that the idea was to arrange a camp where the team could "bridge this mentally and physically."
"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," he said.
Marko stands alone with his controversial recommendation.
"Let’s put it this way,” he continued. “It has not been well received.”
Rather than attend the camp, drivers waiting for the F1 season to recommence are opting to work out at home in isolation. Marko said that Max Verstappen was driving "more races" than in an actual season.
"He does sim racing and sometimes competes in several races per day," Marko said. "At the same time they all have their own physio, which they use for fitness exercises. That’s ideal for working out now. If there is a racing season with 15 to 18 races, it will be very, very tough. There is no possibility to improve your fitness during the season. So it’s actually ideal to use this time now."
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