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Hamilton missed Sakhir’s GP last Sunday, but the FIA and Mercedes confirmed that he had passed a series of negative COVID-19 tests after completing a 10-day quarantine period in Bahrain.
British Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton reacts after securing his 93rd pole position during qualifying session at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa on August 29, 2020 ahead of the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix Photo: AFP .
ABU DHABI – World champion Lewis Hamilton was given the green light on Thursday to return to racing at this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix after recovering from the coronavirus.
Hamilton, 35, missed Sakhir’s GP last Sunday, but the FIA and Mercedes confirmed that he had passed several negative Covid-19 tests after completing a 10-day quarantine period in Bahrain.
George Russell, who replaced Hamilton last week and came agonizingly close to a surprising victory, will return to his Williams team.
“The FIA, Formula 1 and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team can confirm today that Lewis Hamilton has returned a series of negative COVID-19 tests,” said a statement from the team.
“He has completed his ten-day quarantine in Bahrain and was free to leave the country in accordance with the regulations of the Bahrain health authority.”
“Lewis has now arrived in Abu Dhabi after confirmation from the authorities that he could do so and after the quarantine he has received a further negative result.”
The team added: “Lewis, who has now tested negative in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, will have access to the paddock.”
The 22-year-old Russell was “wrecked” after finishing ninth last Sunday, and seemed poised for victory before a rare pit stop and a late slow puncture that gave Racing Point’s Sergio Perez an inaugural victory. .
Despite widespread speculation that he might even be Hamilton’s partner at Mercedes next season, Russell said he would remain with Williams in 2021.
To try to clarify his personal situation, Russell added: “Ultimately, I have a contract and I am a Williams driver for 2021, but my address is Mercedes.
“I signed an agreement with Mercedes in 2016 and they are my managers. They invested in me, they trusted me and that means a lot.”
“I am committed to Mercedes, so I am happy and confident with my position under his leadership.”
He added that his post-race suggestion last Sunday that he hoped he had given Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff a selection dilemma for next year was not a serious comment.
“It was just a throwaway comment in the heat of the moment,” he said.
“Obviously the emotions were high and whatever. I have a contract and I’m a Williams driver for 2021.”
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