7TH time world Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss this weekend’s Grand Prix in Bahrain.
His team Mercedes has revealed that Hamilton, who won last weekend’s race at a different circuit in Bahrain, had three tests which returned negative results. However, he woke up with mild symptoms on Monday and was informed that a contact he had met before last weekend’s race had 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. Apart from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fit and well. The entire team sends him our very best wishes for a swift recovery,’’ Mercedes said in a statement.
The team is expected to announce a replacement driver in due course. Mercedes is expected to choose one of their reserve drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Esteban Gutierrez.
Hamilton is the third F1 driver to contract COVID-19. Racing Point’s Sergio Perez was the first, followed by his teammate Lance Stroll.