This is a record that Lewis Hamilton will not match this season.
With 11 victories already on the clock in 2020, the Briton could, on the occasion of the last two Grands Prix, equal a tandem of German drivers made up of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, both winners of 13 races in a single season ( in 2004 for the first and 2013 for the second).
Indeed, the seven-time world champion has tested positive in Bahrain, the day after his victory in the first of two events which will take place on the Sakhir circuit.
"Lewis has been tested three times in the last week, each time negative, and the last of these tests took place on Sunday afternoon," explains the Mercedes team in a statement.
However, upon waking up on Monday morning he felt mild symptoms and was informed at the same time that a person he had been in contact with before his arrival in Bahrain had tested positive.
Lewis therefore carried out a new test, the result of which was this time positive.
A second test confirmed it. "
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In this case, however much world champion he is, Hamilton has to follow the rules.
"Lewis is now in isolation, in accordance with Covid-19 protocols and the recommendations of public health authorities in Bahrain," announces Mercedes.
Apart from slight symptoms, he is feeling well and the whole team wishes him to recover as well as possible. ”
Which means that he will therefore not compete in the next grand prix on Sunday, or even the last of the season on December 13 in Abu Dhabi if he is not recovered or still positive.
A package that will obviously have no consequences at the World Championship since the Briton had taken care to fold the case at three major prices in the future.
Simply, he will not be able to try to win 13 successes in a season, which should not fail to frustrate this fierce competitor.
Vandoorne or ... Hülkenberg to replace him?
On the Mercedes side, the identity of his replacement should be communicated very quickly.
The most likely option would be to see Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne, the team's reserve rider, pilot a Silver Arrow in Sakhir.
Unless he is too busy with tests in Valencia in Formula E. Mercedes has another reserve driver with Esteban Gutierrez.
Unless the Nico Hülkenberg track - who has already replaced Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll at Racing Point for Covid-19 reasons this season - is the privileged one, which would be a fantastic opportunity for the German to sign his first podium in Formula 1, he who has 178 grand prix in the premier category without ever being in the box.
The kind of beautiful story that would spice up the end of the season at Mercedes, already certain of winning both drivers and manufacturers' crowns.
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