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(Motorsport-Total.com) – World champion Lewis Hamilton will not be able to participate in the Sachir Grand Prix next weekend after testing positive for the corona virus, the Mercedes team announced early Tuesday morning.
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Lewis Hamilton will not be able to participate in the next race Focus
Hamilton had tested negative for the virus three times in the past week, most recently on Sunday afternoon as part of the regular series of tests. On Monday morning, however, the Brit woke up with mild symptoms and was informed that a contact had tested positive.
As a result, another test was estimated in Hamilton, which was positive. This result was confirmed in a later posttest.
In accordance with COVID-19 regulations and Bahrain’s public health authorities, Hamilton is now isolated. Other than mild symptoms, he is fine and feeling fit, Mercedes announced.
Who will be able to intervene in the team on the weekend, wishes to announce it in due time. Stoffel Vandoorne and Esteban Gutierrez have a contract as substitute drivers. Vandoorne is currently in test drive with Formula E in Spain, but will make the regular trip to Bahrain after testing is over and would therefore be available.
Vandoorne has a slight advantage in terms of experience: the Belgian is said to have only been in Bahrain in November with the 2018 Mercedes, as part of a test run by Formula 2 driver Nikita Masepin, whom he instructed.
For Lewis Hamilton, the season could even be completely over, because the season finale in Abu Dhabi takes place only a week later, and depending on the exit regulations in Bahrain, that could be a problem. With that, the Briton would stop at eleven wins this season and could no longer attack the record of 13 held by Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher.
Since the Turkish Grand Prix, Hamilton has already become a world champion.
