Lewis Hamilton will miss this weekend’s Formula 1 Sakhir Grand Prix after testing positive for COVID-19.
According to a statement from Mercedes, Hamilton tested negative three times last week at the Bahrain International Circuit.
”However, he woke up on Monday morning with mild symptoms and was informed at the same time that a contact prior to arrival in Bahrain had subsequently tested positive,” the team said. “Lewis therefore took a further test and returned a positive result. This has been confirmed by a retest.
”Lewis is now isolating in accordance with COVID-19 protocols and public health authority guidelines. Apart from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fit and well, and the entire team sends him our very best wishes for a swift recovery.”
Hamilton earned 11 wins so far this year, including last week’s event at Bahrain.
”I’m gutted not to be able to race this weekend but my priority is to follow the protocols and advice to protect others,” Hamilton said. “I’m really lucky that I feel OK with only mild symptoms and will do my best to stay fit and healthy. Please look after yourselves out there. You can never be too careful. These are worrying times for everyone and we need to make sure we are looking after ourselves and each other. Stay positive.”
The team has yet to name a replacement driver.
Joy joined Frontstretch in 2019 as a NASCAR DraftKings writer, expanding to news and iRacing coverage in 2020. She's currently an assistant editor and involved with photos, social media and news editing. A California native, Joy was raised watching motorsports and started watching NASCAR extensively in 2001. She earned her B.A. degree in Liberal Studies at California State University Bakersfield in 2010.
I wonder how differently the NASCAR season would have been if they had mandatory testing of teams and drivers every week. They got lucky with their “head in the sand” approach, but it could have turned out much worse for them if a driver or crew member infected a vulnerable person among his own family and friends.
What about Hamilton’s physio, Angela Cullen? Did she test positive?