Lewis Hamilton Contracts COVID-19
World champion Lewis Hamilton has produced positive COVID-19 tests. He will therefore miss this weekend’s Formula 1 Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain.
According to a statement released by his team, Mercedes, the Briton woke with mild symptoms on Monday and returned a positive result at a subsequent test and again at a retest.
Hamilton is now self-isolating. This is following his latest win at the Bahrain Grand Prix at the same circuit on Sunday.
Mercedes said a replacement will be named in due course.
BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton will miss this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain after a positive test for Covid-19 pic.twitter.com/c0XCfyDmWZ
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 1, 2020
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
“Apart from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fit and well and the entire team sends him our very best wishes for a swift recovery,” a statement said.
35-year-old Hamilton clinched his record-equalling seventh world title at the Turkish Grand Prix on 15 November.
This would be the first time Hamilton missed since his F1 debut at the 2007 season-opening race in Australia. The latest development has left him in doubt for the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi on 13 December. He must return a negative test before returning to the paddock.
Hamilton is the third F1 driver to test positive for coronavirus this season following Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll.