Williams shuffles travelling personnel after Covid-19 cases

Williams says a number of factory-based team personnel will be substituted into its race team in Turkey after suffering a handful of Covid-19 cases across the past two Formula 1 events.

The team did not divulge details of the specific individuals affected.

Under FIA guidelines each person attending grands prix is tested for Covid-19 every five days while updated protocols implemented at Imola stipulated that a test must take place within 24 hours of first entering the venue.

Formula 1 teams have operated in bubbles and sub-bubbles in order to reduce the risk of transmission should any personnel come into contact with the virus.

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Mercedes had to draft in factory-based personnel at the Nürburgring after two team members tested positive and others had to isolate.

Other teams have also recorded positive Covid-19 cases, most prominently Racing Point, which has had both of its drivers, Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll, sidelined by the virus.

In a statement Williams revealed that it has “had a number of positive Covid-19 cases during the course of the Portuguese and Emilia Romagna Grands Prix.

“Whilst we will not be detailing any individual’s private information, we can confirm that all cases have been managed in line with the FIA Covid-19 guidelines, working with the FIA and with the ongoing safety of our people a priority.

“In order to ensure we follow these guidelines, several members of our trackside team are also isolating as a result of being identified as close contacts of these positive cases.

“As per our internal Covid-19 protocols, a number of factory-based team members will therefore fulfil these roles for the upcoming Turkish Grand Prix weekend.”

Formula 1 and the FIA release figures on a weekly basis and on Friday confirmed that of 1,781 tests carried out across the previous seven days eight people were positive.

The remaining events this season are scheduled to take place in Turkey (November 15), Bahrain (November 29 and December 6) and Abu Dhabi (December 13).