Mclaren boss mocks Stroll team's virus test response
Mclaren boss Zak Brown mocked Racing Point's handling of Canadian driver Lance Stroll's COVID-19 positive on Friday and questioned the team's claim to test more than anyone else in Formula One.
Stroll tested positive after he returned to his home in Switzerland on Oct. 11 after feeling sick and missing the Eifel Grand Prix.
Racing Point said the driver had consulted a family doctor by telephone while isolating at Germany's Nuerburgring and was told he did not have COVID symptoms. Stroll had been negative in previous tests.
He was the team's second driver to contract the virus after Mexico's Sergio Perez in August. Team owner Lawrence Stroll, Lance's father, has also tested positive.
“If I look at the Racing Point incidents I would probably test anyone that isn't feeling well, daily,” Brown told reporters in a video news conference at the Portuguese Grand Prix.
“I don't know who the doctor was. I don't know if it was Dr. Mallya, Dr. Seuss, maybe it was Dr. Dre. Maybe next time around we should be testing when anyone has any sorts of symptoms because we know how dangerous this is.”
Indian mogul Vijay Mallya owned the Force India team that became Racing Point when Stroll's father Lawrence took over. Dr. Seuss was the pen name for American children's author and Cat in the Hat creator Theodor Geisel and Dr. Dre is an American rapper.
Racing Point principal Otmar Szafnauer said the team, which was warned by the governing FIA after failing to report immediately on Stroll's status, had done nearly 20,000 tests, of which 15,000 were at the Silverstone factory.
“We test more than any other business, more than any other Formula One team,” Szafnauer said. Brown questioned that, however. “I've just heard Racing Point tests more than any company on the planet. I'm not sure how you substantiate that,” said the American.
Williams refused to rule out a move for Perez on Friday as speculation mounted the Mexican could replace George Russell at the tail-end Formula One team next season.
Acting team principal Simon Roberts was asked several times during a video news conference to confirm contracted drivers Russell and Canadian Nicholas Latifi would be staying and refused to do so.
Williams changed ownership in August, with U.s.-based Dorilton Capital taking over. The team had previously confirmed both drivers for 2021.
“There's lots of good drivers around that are looking for seats. Dorilton bought the team and nothing changed. I can't say any more than that,” Roberts said.
Asked whether that meant the drivers were staying, he replied: “I'm not going to say anything about either of our drivers. They're both doing a great job.
“There's so much speculation around, I don't want to inadvertently fuel it.”
Perez is being replaced at Racing Point, which will become Aston Martin next year, by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
The Mexican would bring strong sponsor backing as his country's only F1 driver, and is well-rated as a scorer of points and podiums.
Latifi makes a financial contribution to the team through sponsorship from companies linked to his wealthy father Michael.