Formula 1 could extend spring break factory shutdown

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Formula 1 could extend the current factory shutdown by several weeks as teams contend with the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

Formula 1 brought forward its annual summer break to allow for the potential re-instatement in August of several postponed races.

Teams factories are therefore shutdown for a mandatory three weeks, although each outfit has implemented its own shutdown period.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner says the FIA will likely extend to down period to put all the teams on the same level with regard to their factory's working schedule.

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"There will be a discussion during the break weekly, and I can only see it being extended," Horner told the BBC.

"I can see it being extended to the end of April, beginning of May and then reviewed again. There will be a discussion among the team principals, FIA and FOM in the next few days.

"It's the only fair way of dealing with it. It’s a competition at the end of the day. What's right and logical at the moment is everybody abide by the same rules and the shutdown, incorporate FIA conditions to it, until the teams are in a position to go back to work."

The cancellation or postponement of the first eight races of the season, with more delays likely in store, will inevitably impact the teams' revenues this year.

Alfa Romeo boss Frédéric Vasseur says a prolonged shutdown with help teams reduce their costs.

"We get the possibility to extend the shutdown," he told Motorsport.com. "One of the decisions to reduce drastically the costs, could be to extend the shutdown."

"Day by day is roughly the same as we are in the summer shutdown, because we are not allowed to work, except communication and some functions for myself and other senior staff.

"But all the technical staff are not able to work for the next three weeks, so that means until the middle of April.

"I hope that in the middle of April we will have a better view on the situation for the rest of the year and that then we will be able to take decisions."

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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.