Hamilton tests positive for COVID-19

Hamilton, 35, clinched his record-equalling seventh world title at the Turkish Grand Prix on 15 November.

Sunday’s race will be the first Hamilton has missed since his F1 debut at the 2007 season-opening race in Australia.

He must return a negative test before returning to the paddock. Therefore is a doubt for the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi on 13 December.

Mercedes said Hamilton was tested three times last week. On Sunday at the Bahrain International Circuit, The test returned a negative result on each occasion.

However, as well as waking with mild symptoms on Monday, he was also informed that a contact “prior to arrival in Bahrain” had tested positive.

Hamilton is the third F1 driver to test positive for coronavirus this season following Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll.

Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain.

The Mercedes team said in a statement on Tuesday that Hamilton was tested three times last week returned a negative result each time, the last on Sunday afternoon at the Bahrain International Circuit.

“But he up woke Monday morning with mild symptoms and was informed at the same time that a contact prior to arrival in Bahrain had subsequently tested positive,” the team said. “Lewis, therefore, took a further test and returned a positive result. This has since been confirmed by a retest.”

Hamilton is in isolation in accordance with the health protocols in Bahrain.