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Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the Sakhir Grand Prix this weekend.
The Mercedes team said in a statement Tuesday that Hamilton had been tested three times last week and returned a negative result each time on the last Sunday afternoon at the Bahrain International Circuit.
“But he woke up on Monday morning with mild symptoms and was informed at the same time that a contact before his arrival in Bahrain had subsequently tested positive,” the team said. “So Lewis did another test and returned a positive result. This has since been confirmed by a new test. “
Hamilton is isolated according to Bahraini health protocols.
“Aside from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fit and healthy, and the whole team sends him their best wishes for a speedy recovery,” the team statement said.
ROMAIN GROSJEAN OF FORMULA ONE SAYS “ HALO ” SAVED HIM IN THE WRECK OF FIRE
Hamilton, 35, appeared to be gutted at the end of the Bahrain GP, which was marred by an accident that left Romain Grosjean with minor burns to his hands and ankles after his Haas car crashed and crashed ignites a few moments after departure. .
“It’s physical, this track has always been physical. We have a lot of high speed corners so I was really feeling it, ”Hamilton said after Sunday’s race. “I was sliding a lot there and I didn’t really know how it would turn out in the end.
There is another race in Bahrain on Sunday – on the shortest outdoor circuit in Sakhir – before the end of the 17-race season in Abu Dhabi.
Hamilton won the Drivers’ Championship last month in Turkey and has a big lead in the standings with 332 points, well ahead of Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas (201) and Max Verstappen (189).
He has won 11 races this season. But his absence at Sakhir means he won’t be able to win a 13th and tie in Sebastian Vettel’s record, set in 2013 with Red Bull.
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Hamilton is also missing, for the moment, to be able to win a 100th pole position. His pole position last weekend was the 98th record of his career.
The Mercedes team have announced that they will announce a replacement driver later in the week. Reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne was already due to travel to Bahrain after Formula E testing in Valencia.
Hamilton is the third F1 driver to test positive for COVID-19 this season, after Sergio Perez at Silverstone and Lance Stroll in Germany.
Formula 1 organizers have said Hamilton needs a negative test before being allowed to return to the F1 paddock and, therefore, remains a questionable starter for the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
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