F1 fans heap massive praise on McLaren's Seidl!

©McLaren

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McLaren boss Andreas Seidl's popularity among F1i's discerning readers shot up big time this weekend, and it did so for all the right reasons.

While the F1 community heads back to base following the jumbled cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix, one man has stayed behind to help carry the burden of some of the crews his commands, exemplifying the values of leadership.

McLaren's Seidl stays in Melbourne with quarantined staff

As a wise measure of precaution, McLaren has quarantined in Melbourne 15 members of its staff, including the employee who tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday, and whose condition led to Seidl and Zak Brown's bold decision to withdraw McLaren from the Aussie GP and to the events that would force upon F1 the cancellation of the season-opening race.

The group will remain in self-isolation for 15 days, but its morale and spirit boosted by Seidl's unwavering support and presence.

The German's distinguished track record in motorsport as a disciplined and scrupulous team manager - highlighted by the outstanding success of Porsche's LMP1 squad in the WEC - is well chronicled.

But Seidl's qualities as a supportive team leader, mindful of the well-being of his troops, are just as remarkable.

This wasn't lost on F1 fans and our readers in particular who sanctioned the short story we did on the McLaren F1 boss' decision to remain with his men in Australia with a deluge of 'likes', re-tweets and comments on Twitter, some of which we have posted here-under.

The actions of the remarkable Mr. Seidl remind us that there is no 'I' in the word team. And that no McLaren man is ever left behind.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.