By David Awopetu
Formula One champion, Lewis Hamilton, has tested positive for coronavirus and will miss this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain.
The British driver won the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday but started experiencing “mild symptoms” on Monday.
His team, Mercedes, said the Briton woke with mild symptoms on Monday and returned a positive result at a subsequent test and again at a retest.
Mercedes say a replacement will be named in due course.
Hamilton, who wrapped up his record-equalling seventh world championship in Turkey last month, is the third driver to have contracted the illness.
Sergio Perez missed the British and 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone in August, while his Racing Point team-mate, Lance Stroll, also tested positive following October’s Eifel Grand Prix in Germany.
Hamilton appeared to be drained after winning the first Grand Prix in Bahrain on Sunday.
He must return a negative test before returning to the paddock and therefore is a doubt for the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi on 13 December.
Mercedes have not said who will replace him but Belgian reserve driver, Stoffel Vandoorne, who raced for McLaren in 2017 and 2018, is the obvious option for Mercedes.
The team is also expected to explore the possibility of using Williams driver, George Russell.
Vandoorne, the former McLaren F1 driver, will travel to Bahrain as planned after Tuesday’s Formula E test in Valencia.
