Dr. Marko had wacky coronavirus plan to infect Red Bull drivers!

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The headline reads like an early April Fools' joke but Helmut Marko seriously considered deliberately infecting Red Bull's drivers with the coronavirus in a bid to make them immune for when racing resumes later this year.

Dr. Marko - who quite fortunately holds a doctorate in law and not in medicine - revealed his wacky plan during an interview with Austrian TV ORF.

"We have four Formula 1 drivers, and eight or 10 juniors," Marko explained.

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

Marko: Verstappen panicked over COVID-19 threat

Unsurprisingly, Marko's Red Bull entourage was unimpressed with the absurd scheme.

"Let's put it this way: it has not been well received", he admitted.

Marko explained however that Red Bull's group of drivers will continue to build their physical fitness while motorsport remains at a standstill.

"Max [Verstappen], for example, I think he drives more races than in a real season," added the Austrian.

"He does sim racing and sometimes competes in several races per day. 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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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.