Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has examined optimistic for COVID-19 and can miss the Sakhir Grand Prix this weekend.
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Crew issued an announcement Tuesday saying Hamilton was examined 3 times final week and returned a damaging end result every time, the final on Sunday afternoon on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit the place he gained the Grand Prix.
“However he up woke Monday morning with gentle signs and was knowledgeable on the similar time {that a} contact previous to arrival in Bahrain had subsequently examined optimistic,” the crew stated. “Lewis, due to this fact, took an additional check and returned a optimistic end result. This has since been confirmed by a retest.”
Hamilton is in isolation in accordance with the well being protocols in Bahrain.
“Other than gentle signs, he’s in any other case match and properly, and the whole crew sends him its best possible needs for a swift restoration,” the crew assertion stated.
The 35-year-old Hamilton gave the impression to be drained on the finish of the Bahrain GP, which was marred by a crash that left Romain Grosjean with minor burns to his fingers and ankles after his Haas automobile crashed and burst into flames moments after the beginning.
“It’s bodily, this monitor has all the time been bodily. We’ve received a lot of high-speed corners so I used to be undoubtedly feeling it,” Hamilton stated following Sunday’s race. “I used to be sliding round quite a bit on the market and I wasn’t actually fairly certain how it could play out on the finish.”
There may be one other race in Bahrain on Sunday — on Sakhir’s shorter outer circuit — earlier than the 17-race season concludes in Abu Dhabi.
Hamilton clinched the drivers’ championship final month in Turkey and has a giant lead within the standings with 332 factors, properly forward of Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas on 201 factors and Max Verstappen on 189.
The Mercedes crew stated it could announce a alternative driver later within the week. Reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne was already scheduled to journey to Bahrain after Method E testing in Valencia.
Hamilton is the third F1 driver to check optimistic for COVID-19 this season, following Sergio Perez at Silverstone and Lance Stroll in Germany.
Method One organizers stated Hamilton wants a damaging check earlier than being allowed to return to the F1 paddock and, due to this fact, stays a uncertain starter for the ultimate race of the season in Abu Dhabi.