A member of the Mercedes team has tested positive for coronavirus before this weekend’s Eifel Grand Prix.
Mercedes said the team would not reveal the identity of the person affected but it is not one of the two drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.
The team said the situation was “being handled in line with FIA protocols, working closely with the FIA”.
Hamilton said he was “concerned” and “sad” and emphasised the need to behave appropriately to avoid Covid-19.
“It is important for everyone around the world to be continually reminded this thing has not disappeared. It is still here,” he said.
“We still have to follow protocols, wear masks, keep your hands clean and keep your distances.
“I can’t say what it will do to our weekend. We have a lot of great people in the team, we will just try to make him proud and it will take a lot of work to make sure we continue on without any disturbances.”
Mercedes will make the necessary adjustments to ensure the weekend at Germany’s Nurburgring runs smoothly.
The individual in question is not a “known individual” in the terminology used by governing body the FIA. This is generally used to describe public figures in the team, such as drivers, team principals or senior personnel with a profile in the media.
The F1 season resumed in July with an extensive set of protocols in place to minimise the risk of personnel contracting coronavirus.
These include keeping teams away from each other, and operating within teams using a series of ‘bubbles’, regular testing, and mandatory mask wearing in the paddock.
Last week, F1 announced the highest number of positive tests in a week since the season resumed, with 10 personnel involved with the sport contracting the virus in the wake of the Russian Grand Prix.
Local restrictions are looser in Russia than in many countries in western Europe, with the locals generally not wearing masks or practising social distancing.
A number of European countries are facing a fresh rise in coronavirus cases, including the UK, where Mercedes’ chassis and engine factories are located.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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