Lewis Hamilton has been given the green light to compete in this weekend’s Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi, after testing negative for Covid-19.
Hamilton was forced to miss last weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix after he fell unwell following the Bahrain round, with the Briton then testing positive for the virus on November 30.
He has since been self-isolating in Bahrain, with uncertainty over whether he can race this weekend, or whether stand-in George Russell would get another outing for Mercedes.
However Hamilton now looks set to return to his cockpit for the final race of the 2020 season, having tested negative several times, allowing him to travel to Abu Dhabi, where he tested negative again on arrival and has therefore been granted access to the paddock.
“The FIA, Formula 1 and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team can today confirm that Lewis Hamilton has returned a number of negative COVID-19 tests,” a statement from F1 confirmed.
“He has completed his 10-day quarantine in Bahrain and was free to leave the country according to the Bahraini health authority regulations.
“Lewis has now arrived in Abu Dhabi following confirmation from the authorities that he could do so and after quarantining has now received a further negative test result. The FIA COVID-19 protocols remain clear and have not changed.
“A negative pre-test result is necessary to be given access to the Formula 1 Paddock as set out in Appendix S to the International Sporting Code and another negative test result no more than 24 hours following arrival is required.
“Lewis, having now tested negative in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi will be granted access to the Paddock.”
The news means Russell will return to Williams, with its reserve Jack Aitken sidelined.
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