Lewis Hamilton vows to make sure coronavirus does not KO his F1 world title chances at Barcelona GP
LEWIS HAMILTON is determined to make sure his F1 world championship defence is not derailed by the coronavirus.
The Mercedes ace heads to Spain this week to complete the second triple-header following two races at Silverstone.
The British government has warned against all non-essential travel to Spain due to the increase in cases of Covid-19 in areas including the city of Barcelona.
However, F1 has been given an exemption and while strict testing will be in place, Hamilton is taking no chances by staying in isolation in his motorhome.
He said: “I’ll stay at the track, so nothing changes for me.
“I stay in my ‘bubble’. I am only around a couple of people so I will get to the airport and go straight to my motorhome and stay at the track for four days, same as I have this weekend.”
F1 has placed a strict Covid Code of Conduct in place to prevent a person from infecting multiple teammates.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who won Sunday’s 70th Anniversary Grand Prix, added: “You minimise contact. You stay in your bubble.
“I don’t expect any trouble. It’s not only in Spain there is corona. You just have to be careful.”
After the race in Barcelona, F1 has a one-week break before the Belgian GP, however the country is also experiencing outbreaks in the disease.
F1 chiefs are still trying to piece together a calendar with 13 races scheduled so far, finishing in Abu Dhabi on December 13th.
However, there are still gaps in November with more European races being targeted.
It seems the amount of virus in his system is coming down significantly. I think by the time we get to Barcelona, he’ll be back in the car.
Racing Point chief Otmar Szafnauer on Sergio Perez
Meanwhile, Racing Point are confident Sergio Perez will have recovered from his coronavirus set-back in time for this week’s race.
The Mexican tested positive for Covid 19 ahead of the British GP and subsequently failed another test last week.
It means he had to sit out last Sunday and was replaced by Nico Hulkenberg, who remains on standby.
Racing Point team principal Otmar Szafnauer said: “It seems like the amount of virus in his system is coming down significantly from test to test.
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“I think by the time we get to Barcelona, he’ll be back in the car. But I’m trying to guess the future.
“If that doesn’t happen, then don’t crucify me because I can’t predict the future.
“But just looking at the rate of the virus leaving his system, if it’s linear, he should be OK by the time he gets back to Barcelona.”