Alex Lynn will not be taking part in the 8 Hours of Bahrain after the Aston Martin driver tested positive for COVID-19 last weekend, the team has revealed.
Lynn, who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Aston Martin Racing in September, was scheduled to take part in the FIA WEC season finale alongside Maxime Martin.
Aston Martin Racing has said that Lynn is self isolating at home after the positive test. He will now be replaced by Richard Westbrook, who first joined Aston Martin at Le Mans, finishing third in class.
“It’s incredibly disappointing to end the FIA World Endurance Championship season in this way,” said Lynn. “Especially after the amazing high of the Le Mans victory that brought us back into title contention. I wish all my team-mates the best of luck this weekend, but especially Maxime and Richard.”
The shake-up at Aston Martin’s GTE Pro line-up has also had an impact on the driver crew for the team’s GTE Am entry. Westbrook was originally supposed partner Ross Gunn and Paul Dalla Lana aboard the #98 Aston Martin Vantage AMR. After being moved up to the GTE Pro class, Westbrook will be replaced by Pedro Lamy.
Lamy and Dalla Lana have extensive history partnering in GTE Am and won the world title together in 2017.
“We go into the final round of the 2019-20 WEC with drivers in contention for the world title, which is an exceptional position to be in and a testament to the depth of quality and hard work delivered throughout the team,” said John Gaw, Aston Martin Racing managing director.
“That Alex is not able to join us is hugely disappointing for everyone, and we wish him well.
Now we must focus on completing the job and ensure that we come away from Bahrain having delivered on our mission to win both GTE world titles.”
