F1 News
Salo: "Corona virus will slow down the transfer market"
- Lennard Verhage
Many contracts expire at the end of this year, but given that the start of the Formula 1 season is now uncertain because of the coronavirus, this has an impact on the transfer market. As the end of the season is now uncertain, new agreements between teams and drivers are also uncertain, which is likely to lead to postponement.
Postponement
That's what former F1 driver Mika Salo says to the Finnish TV channel MTV: "The contracts will have to be signed sooner or later, but now there is no date on which the decision can be based". By this Salo refers to the uncertainty about the end of the 2020 season.
This will result in postponement of the transfer market, he expects: "So the drivers market season can only be postponed until later in the year. It certainly won't start as early as 2019."
Too few points
For emerging drivers, driving in the lower classes, the COVID-19 virus also causes problems. By racing in Formula 2 and Formula 3, young drivers are able to accumulate Super License points, which are necessary for a transfer to Formula 1.
Because also those races are postponed, the situation can arise that potential Formula 1 drivers don't have enough points for their Super License. The FIA hasn't communicated any changes yet and should the rule persist, it is obvious that the seasons should start as soon as possible.