Winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on November 29, 2020 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Hamad Mohammed - Pool/Getty Images)
Lewis Hamilton won the previous Bahrain GP but will miss the second one after testing positive for Covid-19
Mercedes F1 posted an update on Lewis Hamilton and confirmed that the seven-time world champion had tested positive for Covid-19.
The release from the team confirmed that the Brit had been tested thrice before the first race and each time the result was negative.
However, he was feeling mild Covid-19 symptoms on Monday and after getting testing, this result came out as a positive.
The release added that Hamilton had been in contact who had also tested positive for the virus and he would now isolate based on the protocols set.
Mercedes added that Hamilton only had mild symptoms and was fine otherwise. The Brit was coming off an excellent performance as he won another race and had already wrapped up his seventh world title a few weeks back.
Hamilton testing positive for Covid-19 means that Mercedes would have to name someone else to drive one of their cars.
This isn’t the first time Covid has plagued the F1 season with both Racing Point stars missing races due to Covid-19 tests.
Nico Hulkenberg had taken up the duties when the Racing Point stars had contracted Covid, and this was a name that many had to replace Hamilton in his seat.
The German didn’t look all comfortable the first time he came to replace Sergio Perez. He couldn’t race in the first British GP but finished a fantastic seventh in the next outing.
The second time he replaced Lance Stroll and finished a fantastic eighth despite starting right at the back of the grid.
Many F1 fans wanted to see the Hulk get back behind the wheel as they wished Hamilton the best. The Hulk was left without a seat at the start of the season after Renault released him but he has done well in his limited outings.
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