Racing Point’s Sergio Perez has tested positive for Covid-19, meaning he will miss this weekend’s Formula 1 British Grand Prix.
The Mexican driver was not present in the Silverstone paddock on Thursday during media duties for the British GP after returning an “inconclusive” test result.
He was isolated along with several Racing Point team members and re-tested, with the result of that test coming back positive.
He will therefore miss this weekend’s race and could miss next weekend’s 70th Anniversary GP at the same venue, pending further tests.
Under revised UK guidelines that came into place on Thursday those who test positive for Covid-19 must self-isolate for 10 days, an increase on the previous seven-day period.
“Following today’s announcement that Sergio Perez of the BWT Racing Point Formula 1 Team produced an inconclusive test result for COVID-19 at the Silverstone Circuit ahead of the 2020 FIA Formula 1 British Grand Prix, the FIA and Formula 1 can now confirm that the result of his re-test is positive,” a statement confirmed.
“Perez has entered self-quarantine in accordance with the instructions of the relevant public health authorities, and will continue to follow the procedure mandated by those authorities.
“With assistance of the local organiser of the British Grand Prix, local health authorities and the FIA COVID-19 delegate, a full track and trace initiative has been undertaken and all close contacts have been quarantined.”
The FIA and Formula 1 insist the result will not lead to the cancellation of this weekend’s race.
“The procedures set out by the FIA and Formula 1 have provided for swift containment of an incident that will have no wider impact on this weekend’s event,” the governing body clarified.
Racing Point has yet to announce a replacement for Perez but shares reserve drivers with Mercedes – in the form of Esteban Gutierrez and Stoffel Vandoorne – but it is understood that Nico Hulkenberg is the favourite to take the drive.
“Sergio is physically well and in good spirits, but he will continue to self-isolate under the guidelines of the relevant public health authorities, with safety the ultimate priority for the team and the sport,” read a Racing Point statement.
“The entire team wishes Sergio well and looks forward to welcoming him back into the cockpit of the RP20 soon.
“Our intention is to race two cars on Sunday. We will communicate the next steps for our British Grand Prix weekend in due course.”
It is the first race that Perez has missed since the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix.
Over 14,000 tests for Covid-19 on personnel have been carried out by the FIA and Formula 1 across the opening grands prix and prior to Perez’s result only two positive cases were detected.
