Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss Sunday’s Sakhir Grand Prix, the sport’s governing FIA announced on Tuesday.
Hamilton, who has already secured a record-equalling seventh world title and won last weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, was experiencing mild symptoms but was otherwise fit and well according to a statement released by his Mercedes team.
The statement reads: “Lewis was tested three times last week and returned a negative result each time, the last of which was on Sunday afternoon at the Bahrain International Circuit as part of the standard race weekend testing programme.
“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 returned a positive result. This has since been confirmed by a retest.”
The 35-year-old Briton was isolating according to local health guidelines, the team said, with a replacement driver to be announced in due course.
Abhishek Takle | [email protected]