Coronavirus: Why I Advised Drivers To Become Infected - Formula 1 Boss

Red Bull motorsport boss, Helmut Marko, says he advised his drivers to become infected with the coronavirus disease (covid-19) while the season is on break in order for them to be "ready" when the Formula One (F1) season resumes.

Allnews reports that the 76-year-old said he had the idea to bring his Formula 1 drivers and juniors together in a camp, which "would be the ideal time for the infection to come".

"We have four Formula 1 drivers and eight or 10 juniors, and the idea was that we would organize a camp to mentally and physically bridge the dead time," Marko — who leads Red Bull's driver development programme — told Austrian television channel ORF.

"They are all strong young men in 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.

"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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Marko said that his proposal was rejected by the rest of the Red Bull's management, adding: "Let's put it this way: it has not been well received."

The first eight races of the F1 season have been called off due to the covid-19 crisis, meaning the opening race will now take place in June at the earliest.