Haas follows suit - initiates furlough of staff

©Haas

The Haas F1 team has conformed to the general trend in F1, placing most of its staff in the UK on furlough while drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen have taken pay cuts.

In the face of the global coronavirus crisis, F1 has delayed indefinitely the start of its 2020 season, forcing the sport and the teams to endure an economic downturn.

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McLaren, Racing Point, Renault and Williams have subsequently placed part of their personnel on a temporary leave, with Haas becoming the fifth team to follow suit.

However, the Banbury-based outfit will receive - like its rival teams - the support of the UK government in conformity with a scheme that covers 80% of furloughed staff salaries, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.

Drivers from all four teams have agreed to pay cuts by the same proportion as that applied to the workers of their respective teams.

Of the remaining F1 teams operating in the UK, Mercedes and Red Bull have yet to announce furlough plans.

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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.