Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport

An adviser for Formula 1’s Red Bull Racing has said “the best thing would be if” star driver Max Verstappen “was infected with coronavirus” so he “can move towards a title.”

Red Bull Racing adviser Dr Helmut Marko made the comments when speaking with Austrian newspaper ‘Kronen Zeitung’ where he took a very pragmatic stance on the coronavirus, officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization.

During his interview, Dr Marko revealed Belgian-Dutch driver Verstappen, 22, “told me he was terrified of being infected” with COVID-19 over a telephone conversation.

The Red Bull adviser went on to say “the best thing would be if he was infected with coronavirus now.

“At 22 years of age, he is not part of any risk group and after having the virus he will be immune and can move towards the title.”

The former Austrian driver went on to speak about his own quarantine, which he is spending in his home in the Austrian city of Graz “where I deal with my frustrations with silviculture and a chainsaw”.

Silviculture is the practice of growing and cultivating trees to meet one’s own needs.

Dr Marko went on to say: “Austria has very good medical care. I am extremely careful not to injure myself and have to go to hospital.

“That is the most dangerous place at this moment.”

The current 2020 Formula 1 season has been greatly affected by the pandemic as the first seven races have been cancelled to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Formula 1 chairman and chief executive officer Chase Carey there is “full support to reschedule as many of the postponed races” possible as long as it safe adding that “Formula 1 remains fully committed” to launching the 2020 season “as soon as possible.”

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