McLaren boss: 'Very fragile' F1 could lose up to 4 teams

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McLaren chief executive officer Zak Brown believes Formula 1 is "in a very fragile state" financially as a result of delays and cancellations to the 2020 season caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to Andrew Benson of BBC Sport.

"This is potentially devastating to teams, and if (it is devastating) to enough teams - which doesn't have to mean more than two - then very threatening to F1 as a whole," Brown said.

"In fact, I could see four teams disappearing if this isn't handled the right way," he added. "And then, given how long it takes to ramp up an F1 team, and given the economic and health crisis we are in right now, to think there would be people lined up to take over those teams like there has historically been ... I don't think the timing could be worse from that standpoint."

Brown said the $175-million budget cap for 2021 should be lowered significantly to offset the 2020 losses.

Financial plans will be discussed at a meeting of F1 bosses on Monday, reports Benson.