(Motorsport-Total.com) – Helmut Marko is known as a crisis-proof pragmatist in Formula 1 paddock – a reputation that he once again lives up to during the coronavirus pandemic. A few days ago there was a rumor that he had recommended that his drivers intentionally become infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus so that they quickly become immune to corona. An idea that he now expressly confirms.
© LAT
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Helmut Marko deliberately wanted to infect Max Verstappen with the corona virus zoom
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“We have four Formula 1 drivers and eight or ten juniors,” said Marko in a video interview with ‘ORF’. “The idea was that we would organize a camp where we could mentally and physically bridge this somewhat dead time. Then of course it would be ideal for the infection to come.”
What sounds unconventional at first glance does not cause any major concerns for the 76-year-old: “These are all young, strong men in really good health. You would be armed whenever you start, and you can probably be very tough World Cup, once it starts, be prepared. “
The “Corona Camp” by Red Bull is not implemented. Marko “spoke in a small group” of the idea, but it didn’t go down well: “Let’s put it this way: it wasn’t received positively,” he grins. After all, he had previously revealed that Max Verstappen, in particular, was “terrified” of an infection by his drivers.
It’s so funny with the Raikkonen in the Corona quarantine!
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Even without a camp organized by Red Bull, drivers are currently keeping fit individually. They act “very differently”, as Marko reveals: “I think Max drives more races than in a real season, for example. He drives this e-racing and sometimes contests several races a day.”
“At the same time, everyone has their physio, with which they do appropriate fitness exercises. This is now ideal for the set-up. If there is a racing season with 15 to 18 races, it will be very, very hard, and then there will be no possibility in the season in order to strengthen yourself physically. So it is actually ideal to use this time now, “said the Austrian.
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