Formula 1 before total loss: Questions & answers about the crisis

Formula 1 is bracing itself against the total loss. In the Corona crisis, the future of racing is completely open, and some teams have to fear for their existence. Austerity measures and an emergency calendar are intended to save the racing series, but the time for a restart is becoming increasingly distant. What is the situation with the teams? The compulsory factory holidays have been extended to 5 weeks and must be taken by every team by the end of May. During this time, no work is allowed on the cars in the racing factories. The 3 English teams McLaren, Williams and Racing Point have sent many employees on compulsory leave at state expense, Haas will probably follow. At the same time, the 7 racing teams based in England have offered help with the production and delivery of breathing apparatus. The world champion team is making a design for a breathing aid developed by Mercedes engineers available to manufacturers free of charge. South Tyrolean Günther Steiner is going through a difficult time as Haas team boss. © APA/afp / GLENN NICHOLLS

What are the drivers doing now? Defending champion Lewis Hamilton let it be known that he was using the unwanted free time to work on himself “physically and emotionally”. His long-term rival Sebastian Vettel greeted us in a Ferrari video from the couch at home, and young Red Bull star Max Verstappen is also currently keeping fit in the home office. The Dutchman said he trains a lot on his own simulator. Like many of his colleagues, Verstappen's pastime includes virtual racing. Vettel's Ferrari colleague Charles Leclerc recently won the online Australian Grand Prix. What plans are there for a restart of the season? Formula 1 boss Chase Carey still hopes to be able to save 15 to 18 of the 22 planned World Championship races. The calendar needs to be heavily modified for this. Ghost races without spectators are being tested in order to at least bring in the millions of television and sponsorships linked to the racing. Shortened appearances and several Grand Prix on one track are also being discussed. In Silverstone, for a change, you could also drive in the opposite direction than usual. But the date for the new beginning is completely unclear. All races have been canceled or postponed until mid-June. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff recently even spoke of a start “in the autumn”. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolf can imagine a start to the season in autumn. © AFP / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

How great is the economic damage? Formula 1 is a billion-dollar business. Owner Liberty Media reported sales of $2,02 billion from the full-throttle circus last year. But without a race, the donations from TV rights holders and other donors are at stake. The high entry fees that the route operators have to pay are also not covered. Standstill is also detrimental to the marketing of the global Formula 1 business model. The pictures from a glittering world that the PS spectacle produced between March and December are currently missing. How threatening will it be for the racing series? McLaren managing director Zak Brown warned that Formula 1 is currently in a “very fragile state”. If crisis management fails now, “four teams could disappear,” said the 4-year-old with the BBC . The smaller private racing teams like Williams in particular must fear for their survival. But the corporate teams at the top are also under cost pressure more than ever. In the Formula 1 playground, companies like Daimler could also take the red pencil because of the consequences of the corona pandemic. The operating company of Formula 1 is also in distress. She has to pay out the prize money for 2019, but currently has noticeably lower income. Which measures should help? In addition to the forced vacation at the expense of the British taxpayer and a salary cut for a number of pilots and top managers, further cuts have already been decided. The new rules, which were intended to ensure more competition with slightly slower and simplified cars, have been postponed by a year to 2022. This is intended to save development costs for the time being. In addition, the spending limit agreed for next year is to be set even lower than actually planned. Instead of 175 million US dollars (161 million euros), it could fall in several stages to 120 million dollars (110 million euros), the trade magazine reported Car, engine and sport . The next round of crises at the top of Formula 1 is planned for Good Friday.

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Formula 1 before total loss: Questions & answers about the crisis

The standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic is also having a serious impact on Formula 1. The first 9 races cannot take place as planned and the teams are sending their employees on compulsory vacation. Concern about the continued existence of the racing series is growing.

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