Covid-19: McLaren to put staff on furlough, F1 drivers take pay cut

Mechanics work on the car of McLaren Honda's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso in the pit at the Circuit de Catalunya on February 23, 2016, in Montmelo on the outskirts of Barcelona on the second test day of the Formula One Grand Prix season. [AFP / JOSE JORDAN]

McLaren became the first Formula One team to furlough staff because of the coronavirus on Wednesday, with drivers Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz joining senior management in taking a pay cut.

The sportscar maker said in a statement the temporary three-month wage reduction was part of wider cost-cutting measures due to the impact of the pandemic on its business.