Dhe Formula 1 has its first coronavirus case. Mexican driver Sergio Perez tested positive for Covid-19. This was announced by the International Automobile Association Fia and the racing series on Thursday evening. The 30-year-old from Team Racing Point is no longer allowed to take part in the Great Britain Grand Prix on Sunday at Silverstone.
Perez is physically healthy and in a good mood, said his racing team. “He will continue to isolate himself according to the guidelines of the responsible health authorities, with safety for the team and the sport being the top priority,” said a statement. Only the second test from Perez was positive. Previously there was an ambiguous test result and the pilot had to be isolated as a precautionary measure away from the route. Due to the complications, the World Cup sixth had to do without the compulsory press conference at the racetrack for a short time and was absent from the appointment alongside his teammate Lance Stroll.
Only with a negative result would Perez have been able to get back into his car on Friday and take part in training, qualifying and the fourth round of the season. The positive result now forces him to take a break and quarantine. The running of the race is not at risk. Racing Point must now react and place a replacement driver in the free cockpit. Stoffel Vandoorne from Belgium or Esteban Gutierrez from Mexico come into question. Both have Formula 1 experience. A decision should be made quickly, it said from the racing team.
In the first three races after the Formula 1 restart, there had been no positive Corona case among the drivers or the employees of the motorsport premier class teams. With around 15,000 tests, two helpers in Hungary delivered the only positive results. However, she had no contact with drivers.
In England, too, the racing weekend can only take place if the strict hygiene rules are observed. Anyone who does not have a negative corona test must not be on the premises. In any case, the number of people present has already been greatly reduced. The tests must be repeated at least every five days. A mask requirement also applies. Compliance with the distance rules is also necessary and the teams should not have any contact with one another.
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