Formula 1: concern grows over the survival of certain stables

A terrible backdrop. Like many other industries, Formula 1 is not immune to the economic repercussions of the Coronavirus pandemic. Consequences which push some members of the paddock to fear the worst for the future. Thus, about a week ago, Christian Horner, the manager of the Red Bull team, had already raised the alarm by referring to the post-Covid-19 era. "F1 is a very strong company and has a huge heritage," said the Briton in an interview with the BBC. F1 will survive this crisis. On the other hand, that all the teams survive is another matter, and it is the responsibility of all the stable managers to act in the interest of the discipline and of all its participants, to make our better to make sure the ten stables are doing well. ”

"In fact, I can even fear that four teams will disappear if we do not manage this crisis in the right way."

This Tuesday, still on the BBC, it is the turn of Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren-Racing, to express his deep concern, even to the point of quantifying the number of teams that could be brought to put the key under the door. “If we don't handle this situation properly, we could lose at least two teams. I'm sure of that. In fact, I can even fear that four teams will disappear if we do not manage this crisis in the right way. And when you know how long it takes to set up a Formula 1 team, even more in this economic and health situation, I don't think the timing could be worse to lose teams on the way. F1 is, in my opinion, in a very fragile situation right now. ”

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Indeed, in the event that the worst-case scenario becomes reality, it would simply be 40% of the F1 plateau that would disappear. Obviously, the list of stables concerned turns out to be rather easy to draw up, even if these are only assumptions. At the top of the list would be one of the historic teams in the discipline, Williams, who has already faced several financial difficulties in recent seasons. "Given the current Covid-19 situation, Williams Racing is temporarily laying off a number of temporarily unemployed employees as part of a wider range of cost-cutting measures," she said. in a press release. "The period of temporary unemployment will last until the end of May, while the management and our pilots have agreed to a 20% reduction in wages, which has been effective since April 1."

For his part, Gene Haas, the owner of the stable bearing his name, had sent a first message on the sporting front before the start of the crisis: "If we start the season solidly, then maybe there is a possibility that we can continue. But if we are reliving a season identical to that of last year, then I will not be favorable. It's our fifth year in Formula 1, and this 2020 season is a real test to see if it's worth it or not to continue the adventure for another five years. This must be reflected. Going away for five more years is quite a commitment. ” The current crisis could also prompt him to close the Haas garage, while AlphaTauri and Alfa Romeo Racing could be the two other teams in great difficulty.

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