F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Marko coronavirus plan just 'a throwaway comment' - Horner

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner says that Helmut Marko's controversial idea of inoculating Red Bull's drivers with COVID-19 to make them later immune was never tabled as a "serious suggestion".

Marko raised a few eyebrows during an interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF when he said that he had thought about setting up a "coronavirus camp" for Red Bull's drivers where they would be deliberately infected with the virus in a bid to make them immune for when the season gets underway later this summer.

Speaking to BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson, Horner confirmed that the absurd idea had not been well received by Red Bull while also downplaying the seriousness of Marko's comments.

"As Helmut pointed out, when he raised it, it wasn't received with support from within Red Bull," said the Briton.

"It was in many ways a throwaway comment before understanding the seriousness of the pandemic.

"Red Bull, yes, they have many athletes but the focus regarding all the actions that are going on at the moment is that this can affect young people, old people, vulnerable people.

"It is not a limited sector this applies to. So things like the ventilator project we are working on demonstrate how seriously we are taking this and how much effort's going behind it.

"Helmut's comments were made before understanding the severity. It has never been discussed or tabled as a serious suggestion."

On the subject of F1's relief efforts regarding the shortfall of ventilators and breathing devices for COVID-19 patients in the UK, Horner says Red Bull is doing its part at Milton Keynes.

"People like Rob Marshall, our chief designer, he has done a couple of all-nighters on this coming up with engineering solutions to issues they've encountered," Horner explained.

"The key thing is getting these systems out there as quickly as possible.

"F1's ability to problem-solve is second to none and our ability to make rapid prototype parts is again second to none.

"So not just our team but all the teams have responded in a phenomenal way. I can only judge what's going on in our our facility, and the efforts that the engineering team and R&D and manufacturing have put into this have been exemplary."

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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.

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