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Why F1's furlough debate isn't as clear cut as in football

Formula 1 teams, like select Premier League clubs, have billionaire owners and have placed employees on furlough. But while the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Bournemouth have reversed their decisions after criticism, F1 teams don't have the same luxuries

Luke Smith Apr 17, 2020, 3:06 PM

International sport may have been placed on hold as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact all aspects of life, but there has been no shortage of news. Motorsport has continued to tick over as it negotiates the various challenges thrown by the ever-changing situation, with the burgeoning Esports scene offering drivers and fans a way to get their racing fix.

But most of the back-page headlines have come from football, where an ongoing tussle involving players, clubs, the Premier League and the British government continues to unfold over pay cuts and furloughing.

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Author Luke Smith

Luke Smith is Autosport’s Formula 1 reporter. Luke has been working in F1 as a journalist since 2013, initially alongside a History degree at University College London. Luke served as the lead F1 writer at American broadcaster NBC Sports from 2013-17 before spending two years as the F1 Editor for Crash.net. Luke joined Autosport for the 2020 season.

Luke is also a contributor to The New York Times for its F1 special reports, and has previously worked with Al Jazeera and CNBC, as well as hosting FIA press conferences. Outside of F1, Luke is a fan of sports and music, with an ever-growing vinyl collection, and has being bitten by the running bug in recent years. He also runs a surprisingly popular blog reviewing the often-terrible media centre coffee from his F1 travels.