Lewis Hamilton tests positive for COVID-19

Sunday’s F1 race winner and the 2020 champion has tested positive

Lewis Hamilton has won 11 of 14 F1 races in the 2020 season. He already locked up the 2020 championship, three races ahead of the season finale.

Heading into last weekend’s race, Hamilton was tested three times. On Sunday, Hamilton drove to the podium in Sakhir, Bahrain.

Directly after the win, Hamilton has tested positive. He will now be forced to miss this weekend’s second event at the Bahrain International Circuit.

The 2020 F1 season will come to a close the following weekend at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on Sunday Dec 13th. Hamilton should be clear to race that event following a 10-day quarantine if he shows no symptoms.

Lewis Hamitlon on testing positive for COVID-19

“I’m devastated that I won’t be racing this weekend. Since we started the season in June, my team and I have been taking all the precautions we possibly can and following the regulations everywhere we’ve been in order to stay safe.”

“Unfortunately, even though I returned three negative results this past week, I woke up yesterday morning with mild symptoms and requested another test which came back positive. I’ve immediately gone into self-isolation for 10 days.”

“I’m gutted not to be able to race this weekend but my priority is to follow the protocols and advice to protect others. I’m really lucky that I feel ok with only mild symptoms and will do my best to stay fit and healthy.”

“Please look after yourselves out there. You can never be too careful. These are worrying times for everyone and we need to make sure we are looking after ourselves and each other. Stay positive.”

Related: Lewis Hamilton comments on the F1 salary cap (Video)

Lewis Hamilton - F1
Lewis Hamilton – F1

Mercedes AMG Petronas comments

“The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team regrets to announce that Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for CoviD-19 and will be unable to take part in this weekend’s Sakhir GP.”

“Lewis was tested three times last week and returned a negative results each time, the last of which was on Sunday afternoon at the Bahrain International Circuit as part of the standard race weekend testing program.”

“However, he woke up on Monday morning with mild symptoms and was informed at the same time that a contact prior to arrival in Bahrain had subsequently tested positive. Lewis therefore took a further test and returns a positive result. This has since been confirmed by a retest.”

“Lewis is now isolating in accordance with COVID-19 protocols and public health authority guidelines. Apart from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fir and well, and the entire team send him our very best wishes for a swift recovery.”

“We will announce our replacement driver plans for this weekend in due course.”

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Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes F1 | Bahrain Circuit | F1

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