F1's world champions say the positive case is being handled in line with F1 and the FIA's extensive protocols
Thursday 8 October 2020 19:04, UK
Mercedes have confirmed a member of their team has tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of this weekend's Eifel GP.
F1's world champions say they are following the sport's protocols in the wake of the positive case.
It is understood that the case does not involve either of the team's race drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, and will not disrupt the running of Mercedes' race weekend at the Nurburgring.
"It is [fragile] - not only here but also around the world," Hamilton told Sky F1. "We're entering winter, we've seen cases rising around the world and I know it's very easy to get back into some sort of normality and forget the seriousness of it.
"I think it's important as a sport to raise awareness of how serious it is and how important it is for people to stay safe out there. While the number of deaths I think has reduced, people are still at risk and I think it's only fair for us to keep ourselves safe and those around us safe."
F1 and the FIA have stringent measures in place to combat Covid-19, with thorough isolation and track-and-trace procedures enacted for any positive cases.
In the most recent round of results, issued by the sport last Friday, there was a small rise to 10 positive cases over the previous week from a total of 1,822 tests.
The positive cases were said to be among ancillary personnel and not those involved in teams, with F1 also making clear there was no link to the attendance of fans at the Russian GP.
Racing Point driver Sergio Perez missed the two grands prix at Silverstone in August after returning two positive results in the only other case thought to directly impact team personnel since the delayed F1 season began in July.
