Hamilton tests positive for coronavirus and will not race this weekend in Bahrain

Lewis Hamilton, during last weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.AFP7 via Europa Press / Europa Press

Lewis Hamilton will not take part in the second consecutive test to be held in Bahrain this weekend after testing positive for coronavirus.

The Briton, who was crowned Formula 1 world champion for the seventh time in Turkey three weeks ago, won his eleventh victory of this season last Sunday, at the same Sakhir circuit.

Throughout that week, the Mercedes rider underwent three tests, all of which were negative.

However, last Monday, the day after that last victory, the Stevenage driver was ill and another PCR test was carried out that would later confirm his infection.

At the same time, as reported by his team this Tuesday through a statement, Hamilton was informed that one of the people with whom he had had contact before traveling to the emirates had tested positive.

Hamilton is the third member of the current grid that will miss any of the appointments of this 2020 after being infected by covid, after the absences of Checo Pérez, in Silverstone (Great Britain), and that of Lance Stroll, in the Nürburgring (Germany).

Mercedes assures in that same note that the already world champion is isolated in Bahrain, where he follows all the corresponding health protocols, and that, apart from a flu-like symptoms, his health is good.

The star's team plans to announce in the next few hours who will be Valtteri Bottas' teammate this Sunday to replace the Briton.

It so happens that Hamilton will be the second casualty among the starters in this Sakhir Grand Prix, after the terrible accident suffered by Romain Grosjean forced Haas to replace the Frenchman with Pietro Fittipaldi.