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Hamilton, a seven-time F1 world champion, has been barred from the upcoming event at the Bahrain International Circuit after returning several positive COVID-19 test results on Monday.
The British driver is now self-isolating in Bahrain according to the required protocols, Mercedes being ready to announce his replacement for the weekend “in due course”.
This will mark the first race Hamilton has missed since making his F1 debut in early 2007. He is the third driver to miss a race due to illness this season after Racing Point’s Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll missed events earlier. during this year.
How Hamilton contracted the virus has not been revealed, but it is understood that the world champion has not deviated from the strict protocols he has lived through all season.
After the Turkish Grand Prix Hamilton returned home to Monaco as usual, and before the Bahrain GP he traveled to Dubai.
There he spent time with his family, who had all been tested before traveling and returned negative tests, as well as making a personal appearance at an event.
He left Dubai for Bahrain, where he had three more tests which all returned negative before it was confirmed on Tuesday that he had contracted the virus.
Hamilton took to social media to express his sadness at not competing in the Bahrain race, but he was grateful that he only treated mild symptoms.
“I am devastated not to race this weekend,” Hamilton wrote.
“Since we started the season in June my team and I have taken every precaution possible and followed the rules everywhere to stay safe.
“Unfortunately, even though I returned three negative results last week, I woke up yesterday morning with mild symptoms and ordered another test which came back positive.
“I immediately isolated myself for 10 days.
“I’m empty of not being able to run this weekend but my priority is to follow protocols and advice to protect others.
“I’m really lucky to be feeling good with only mild symptoms and doing my best to stay fit and healthy.
“Please take care of yourself there. You can never be too careful. These are worrying times for everyone and we need to make sure we take care of ourselves and each other. . Stay positive. “
It’s unclear if Hamilton will be able to return for the season finale in Abu Dhabi in two weeks.
He has to self-isolate for 10 days, bringing it back to next Thursday, and then has to return a negative test result in order to enter the paddock for the race weekend from Friday.
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