Brown: F1 must change to survive

london — Formula One is in “a very fragile state” due to the new coronavirus crisis and risks losing some of its 10 teams unless some big changes are made, McLaren boss Zak Brown warned on Sunday.

The season has yet to start, with two races — including the showcase Monaco Grand Prix in May — cancelled and six postponed so far.

The sport has already made some changes, including postponing a planned major technical rule change from 2021 to 2022 and agreeing teams will use the same cars next year but Brown said more was needed.

“Could I see — through what is going on right now in the world if we don’t tackle this situation head on very aggressively — two teams disappearing? Yeah,” the American told the BBC.

“In fact, I could see four teams disappearing if this isn’t handled the right way.”

Meanwhile, ROKiT Williams drivers, George Russell and Nicholas Latifi, and senior management will be taking a 20% pay cut during the coronavirus crisis while many of their employees will be temporarily furloughed, the Formula One team said on Monday.

Williams joins fellow British Formula One team McLaren who last week furloughed staff while their drivers and senior management had their wages reduced temporarily for a three-month period to reduce costs with the season on a hiatus.

“ROKiT Williams Racing is temporarily furloughing a number of employees as part of a wider range of cost-cutting measures,” the team said in a statement.

Under the scheme announced by British finance minister Rishi Sunak announced last month, furloughed workers can claim 80% of their wages up to 2,500 pounds ($3,068) per month.