Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for the corona virus. He will therefore miss next race weekend in Bahrain.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has contracted the corona virus, as was shown during one of the many mandatory tests within Formula 1. The winner of last Sunday’s Grand Prix cannot therefore take action this weekend. It is the first time in his F1 career that Hamilton does not appear at the start of a Grand Prix in which he would normally just compete. The 35-year-old has mild complaints, according to the team and has probably already been in contact with someone who was infected before the last race weekend.
Hamilton already secured his seventh world title in Turkey. Missing the race therefore no longer has any consequences in that sense. Now the question is who will replace the Briton next race weekend. Former F1 driver Esteban Gutiérrez is the reserve driver for the Mercedes-AMG team, but former F1 driver Stoffel Vandoorne can also be called up for this. It is a huge opportunity for the one who will replace Hamilton; the Mercedes is clearly the best car in the field this year too. However, it is now mainly to be hoped for Hamilton that he will get rid of the virus quickly and will not be bothered by it.