Abu Dhabi: Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will miss this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix after testing positive for COVID-19.
Hamilton tested positive on Monday, the day after his victory at Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, in a mandatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for the upcoming Sakhir Grand Prix at the same circuit this weekend. Hamilton tested negative three times the previous week, including Sunday afternoon ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, but he woke up Monday morning with mild symptoms and subsequently tested positive.
He was informed Monday that a contact prior to his arrival in Bahrain also had tested positive. The 35-year-old has already secured this year’s drivers’ title, but he will miss this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix and could miss the season finale the week after in Abu Dhabi if he fails to return a negative test in time. It is not yet clear who will replace Hamilton at Mercedes, which has won 11 of this year’s 15 races.