While the British-based F1 teams are working to assist with the production of ventilators for patients who have the coronavirus, Red Bull's motorsport consultant, Helmut Marko has revealed that he wanted to deliberately expose his drivers to the virus in order to make them immune.

"We have four Formula 1 drivers, and eight or 10 juniors," he told Austrian broadcaster ORF. "The idea was to organise a camp where we could bridge this mentally and physically somewhat dead time. And that would be the ideal time for the infection to come.

"These are all strong young men in really good health," he continued. "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."

However, the Austrian's plan was understandably rejected.

"Let's put it this way: it has not been well received", he admitted.

Consequently - and one shudders to think how Jos Verstappen might have reacted to the idea - Marko admits that the drivers will now spend their time maintaining their fitness in preparation for when (and if) the season gets the green flag..

"Max, for example, I think he drives more races than in a real season. He does sim racing and sometimes competes in several races per day," said Marko. "At the same time they all have their own physio, which they use for fitness exercises. That's ideal for working out now.

"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."

Admit it, 'Red Bull gives you Covid-19' just doesn't have the same ring.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Wokingchap, 31/03/2020 15:18

"Shows his true demented character. Wasn't there another Austrian like that?"

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2. Posted by Lapps, 31/03/2020 14:00

"Hey Marko
Just remember, a good leader leads from the front! So after you!!"

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3. Posted by Steve W, 31/03/2020 2:12

"This virus thing is going to be what Real Nature is... The old, weak and sick are going to die off."

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4. Posted by Superbird70, 30/03/2020 20:22

"Reminds me of an old Saturday Night Live sketch.

Theodoric of York, Medieval Barber, "You know, medicine is not an exact science, but we are learning all the time. Why, just fifty years ago, they thought a disease like your daughter's was caused by demonic possession or witchcraft. But nowadays we know that Isabelle is suffering from an imbalance of bodily humors, perhaps caused by a toad or a small dwarf living in her stomach."

Modern science, eh?
"

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5. Posted by Bill Hopgood, 30/03/2020 18:25

"I read this elsewhere by accident on a web site that has a rather distracting right hand side panel and thought, "really?".
So much for "healthy" competition!
I can see the logic of Marco's thinking however, to put healthy folks through something like this, in order to have a competitive advantage when things get going...
Well, Red Bull do have a ruthless driver program and with 10 more drivers in the wings...
I'd be a useless F1 boss as something like this wouldn't even cross my mind.
"

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6. Posted by Editor, 30/03/2020 16:30

"@ Rock Doc

Even as I wrote the piece I knew exactly what picture I was going to use... though I stopped short at using the line from Goldfinger when Gert Frobe was about to give Sean Connery the laser treatment.
"

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7. Posted by Rock Doc, 30/03/2020 16:25

"Love the picture.

Love him or hate him, let's face it F1 would be boring without him."

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8. Posted by Editor, 30/03/2020 16:03

"@ klmn

Well this "story" was from Marko's own lips... so believe it or not...""

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9. Posted by Anthony, 30/03/2020 14:54

"I would love to know what Jos said!"

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10. Posted by klmn, 30/03/2020 14:28

"Many stories on the internet these days , i read that we have the corona in the world because a Chinese man had sex with a infected bat ..... i believe all the stories ... "

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11. Posted by Superbird70, 30/03/2020 14:04

"What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger?!?! In this day and age, unbelievable."

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12. Posted by Batman, 30/03/2020 13:37

"Humanity once knew a Führer who would have loved to meet Helmut's technics. I'm in doubt if he still see the drivers as human beings."

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13. Posted by Lakota, 30/03/2020 13:33

"Years from now their going to find out that Red Bull and the rest of the energy drinks are worse for you than cigarettes."

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Marko wanted to 'infect' Red Bull drivers

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