Formula One World champion, Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for COVID-19, the FIA announced on Tuesday.
The Formula One’s governing body, FIA also disclosed that Hamilton will miss this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain.
In a statement, FIA said, “In accordance with COVID-19 protocols and public health authority guidelines in Bahrain he is now isolating,”
“The procedures set out by the FIA and Formula 1 will ensure no wider impact on this weekend’s event.”
Hamilton who won the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, the first of back-to-back races in the Gulf state, has already achieved a record-equalling seventh world championship this year.
A statement from Hamilton’s Mercedes team read, “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.
“Lewis is now isolating in accordance with COVID-19 protocols and public health authority guidelines in Bahrain.
“Apart from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fit and well, and the entire team sends him its very best wishes for a swift recovery.”
The Mercedes team noted that Hamilton had been tested three times last week and returned a negative result each time as part of the sport’s strict anti-virus protocols, the last of which was on Sunday afternoon at the Bahrain circuit.
