Formula 1 2020 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton was tested positive for coronavirus infection on Tuesday , 1 November. Hamilton positively Covid-19 after becoming Bahrain’s F1 GP champion.
Hamilton is currently undergoing isolation in accordance with the rules that apply after he was tested positive.
“The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team regrets to announce that Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be unable to take part in this weekend’s Sakhir GP,” said Mercedes in a statement.
“Lewis was tested three times last week and returned a negative result each time, the last of which was on Sunday afternoon at the Bahrain International Circuit as part of the standard race weekend testing program,” continued Mercedes.
“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. Lewis, therefore, took a further test and returned a positive result. This has since been confirmed by a retest.
“Lewis is now isolating in accordance with COVID-19 protocols and public health authority guidelines in Bahrain. Apart from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fit and well, and the entire team sends him its very best wishes for a swift recovery,” the statement added.
As result, Hamilton will undergo a maximum isolation of two weeks. That means the British driver is almost certain to be absent from the F1 GP this weekend.
For now, Mercedes have yet to confirm who will replace the 35-year-old for Sunday’s Grand Prix on the Outer Loop of the Bahrain International Circuit.
With Hamilton’s absence, it will be the first race he has missed since his debut at the 2007 season-opening race in Australia.
Sources: Mirror.co.uk