McLaren drivers volunteer to take pay cut

If leaders emerge in times of crisis, then McLaren asserts itself as a model of its kind in the universe F1 since a few weeks. 

After having placed the sport in front of its responsibilities by withdrawing from the Australian Grand Prix following the discovery of a case of Coronavirus in its ranks, the Woking team has just taken a new series of strong measures to try to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on its business. 

Part of the McLaren staff thus agreed to take unpaid leave as part of a government emergency plan. The British authorities have in fact committed to paying 80% of the salary of employees placed on forced unemployment, up to a maximum of 2 pounds sterling (500 euros) per month.   

« The McLaren Group has placed some of its staff on unpaid leave as part of cost-cutting measures to deal with the COVID-19 crisis, which is impacting its business, confirmed a Woking spokesperson. These measures serve to protect short-term employment and guarantee the return of our staff full-time as soon as the economy recovers. ».

The declaration does not specify the duration of the unpaid leave but AUTOhebdo was told it should be 2 months. According to our information, the rest of the staff accepted a general salary reduction spread over 3 months, including CEO Zak Brown. 

Faced with this situation, the pilots Lando Norris et Carlos Sainz volunteered to reduce their annual emoluments. A strong symbolic gesture which clearly illustrates the state of mind and the united corporate culture which currently reigns in Woking.