Lewis Hamilton has COVID-19, will miss F1’s Sakhir GP

SAKHIR, Bahrain – Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for COVID-19 and can miss this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix.

The Mercedes team said in a statement Tuesday that Hamilton was tested 3 times a week ago and returned an adverse result every time, the last on Sunday afternoon at the Bahrain International Circuit.

“But he up woke Monday morning with mild symptoms and was informed simultaneously that a contact prior to arrival in Bahrain had subsequently tested positive,” the team said. “Lewis, therefore, took an additional make sure returned an optimistic result. It has since been confirmed by a retest.”

Hamilton is within isolation in accordance with the health protocols in Bahrain.

“Apart from mild symptoms, he's otherwise fit and well, and also the entire team sends him its very best wishes for a swift recovery,” they statement said.

The 35-year-old Hamilton appeared to be drained at the end of the Bahrain GP, that was marred with a crash that left Romain Grosjean with minor burns to his hands and ankles after his Haas car crashed and burst into flames moments following the start.

“It's physical, this track has always been physical. We have plenty of high-speed corners so I was definitely feeling it,” Hamilton said following Sunday’s race. “I was sliding around a lot out there and that i wasn't really quite sure the way it would engage in at the end.”

There is another race in Bahrain on Sunday – on Sakhir's shorter outer circuit – before the 17-race season concludes in Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton clinched the drivers’ championship recently in Turkey and has a large lead within the standings with 332 points, well ahead of Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas (201) and Max Verstappen (189).

He has won 11 races this season. But his absence in Sakhir means he'll not be able to win a 13th and equal Sebastian Vettel's record, set in 2021 with Red Bull.

Hamilton also misses out, for now, on being able to clinch a 100th pole position. His pole a week ago was the record-extending 98th of his career.

The Mercedes team said it would announce a replacement driver later in the week. Reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne had been scheduled to go to Bahrain after Formula E testing in Valencia.

Hamilton may be the third F1 driver to check positive for COVID-19 this season, following Sergio Perez at Silverstone and Lance Stroll in Germany.

Formula One organizers said Hamilton needs a negative test prior to being permitted to return to the F1 paddock and, therefore, remains a doubtful starter for the final race of year in Abu Dhabi.

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