After testing positive for coronavirus, world champion, Lewis Hamilton will miss this weekend’s Formula 1 Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain.
According to BBC, his team, Mercedes, disclosed that the Briton woke with mild symptoms on Monday and returned a positive result at a subsequent test and again at a retest.
Hamilton, 35, won the Bahrain Grand Prix at the same circuit on Sunday, but is is now self-isolating at the moment.
After this development, Mercedes say a replacement will be named in due course.
In a statement it was revealed that, “Apart from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fit and well and the entire team sends him our very best wishes for a swift recovery,”
Sunday’s race will be the first Hamilton has missed since his F1 debut at the 2007 season-opening race in Australia.
Hamilton who won his record-equalling seventh world title at the Turkish Grand Prix on 15 November, must return a negative test before returning to the paddock and therefore is a doubt for the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi on 13 December.
A statement from Mercedes reveals that Hamilton was tested three times last week, including on Sunday, at the Bahrain International Circuit, and returned a negative result on each occasion.
However, as well as waking with mild symptoms on Monday, he was also informed that a contact “prior to arrival in Bahrain” had tested positive.
