Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will not be participating in the weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix following the return of a positive test result confirming COVID-19 infection. Hamilton is as a result now in managed isolation in Bahrain, F1 has confirmed, and is the third driver to test positive this season. The other two drivers who previously tested positive are Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez.
Though a replacement for the Mercedes driver has not yet been named, Stoffel Vandoorne will be making his way to Bahrain at the close of his participation in Formula E. This according to a confirmation received from Mercedes. Stoffel Vandoorne and Esteban Gutierrez are the reserve drivers for team Mercedes.
Hamilton reportedly last week tested negative three times over, but on Monday started displaying mild flu-like symptoms. This, coupled with a positive test result received by someone the F1 champion had had close contact with prior to his departure for Bahrain, had reportedly prompted him to request an additional test on Monday morning. The remainder of Hamilton’s contacts have in the meantime all been declared, confirmed Mercedes on Tuesday morning.
Mercedes also confirmed that the 35-year-old is despite his positive result and mild symptoms, otherwise feeling fit and in good health.
The upcoming Sakhir Grand Prix will be the first Grand Prix missed by Hamilton across his 14-season professional F1 career. The interruption effectively ends the Formula 1 star’s record run of 265 consecutive starts.
Hamilton’s absence from the weekend’s Grand Prix also puts on hold at least for this year his chasing of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel’s joint record of 13 wins recorded during a single season.
| Rank | Site | Bonus | Bet | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Ladbrokes |  | 5/5 | 100% Match up to $250 | Bet now Review |
| 2 |  | Palmerbet | | 4.9/5 | 100% Match | Bet now Review |
| 3 |  | Picklebet | | 4.8/5 | Login to see promotions | Bet now Review |
More About Jennie Martin
After completing her degree, Jennie Martin began her journalism career by working as an intern on the entertainment pages. However, her passion for sport was quickly noticed, and she began covering local events.
She now puts her considerable expertise and more than a decades worth of experience to good use, keeping readers up to date on Australian and international sports betting news.
From the latest sporting results to the thrills and spills of the online betting industry, Jennie is the australiansportsbetting.net expert in the field.
You May Also Like:
Mercedes Boss Rejects Claims About New Car
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff this week vehemently rejected all claims regarding the alleged illegality of some of the components of the team’s new car. Wolff’s comments came in response to ….
Verstappen Signs Massive F1 Pay Day
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has scored one of the biggest pay days in the history of Formula One. Verstappen recently signed a new deal understood to be valued at ….
Vettel Calls On F1 To Can Russian GP
German F1 race car driver Sebastian Vettel has called on the FIA to cancel the Russian GP after the country’s military invasion of the Ukraine on Thursday. Vettel, who is ….
Michael Masi Dismissed As F1 Race Director
In a move regarded by many to be a controversial one, and even a form of acknowledgement of error, the FIA this week announced the dismissal of Australian-born race director ….
FIA Will Rule On 2021 Season Only In March
Formula 1’s Lewis Hamilton will have to wait two more months to hear the outcome of the FIA’s inquiry into the controversial conclusion of the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi. ….