Lewis Hamilton To Miss Sahkir Grand Prix Over Positive Test For Coronavirus

Lewis Hamilton will not be participating at the Sahkir Grand Prix this weekend for testing positive for coronavirus, the Mercedes racing team confirmed in a statement. 

Not participating in this weekend's race will have no impact on Hamilton in terms of standings as he has already clinched the season championship title for a record-equaling seventh time. The Briton and retired Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher are both the first drivers to make the milestone. 

"The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team regrets to announce that Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be unable to take part in this weekend's Sakhir GP," the team confirmed in a statement. 

Hamilton won his seventh pole of the season at the qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix and went on to win the final for his eleventh race win of the season. Meanwhile, Mercedes suspected the pilot of showing "mild" symptoms of coronavirus and conducted tests on their drivers and Hamilton's test came back positive. 

"Lewis is now isolating in accordance with COVID-19 protocols and public health authority guidelines in Bahrain," the statement added. "Apart from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fit and well, and the entire team sends him its very best wishes for a swift recovery."

Whilst Hamilton is out for the weekend, Stoffel Vandroone, Nico Hulkenberg, and George Russel are amongst drivers in the line-up to replace the seven-time champion.