Formula 1 has confirmed that two people have tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
The championship stressed that the affected individuals were not present at the opening two rounds in Austria, have been removed from operations, and have now been isolated, with the tracing system contacting those who have been in close proximity.
Formula 1 carried out over 8,000 positive tests during the 14-day period at the Red Bull Ring without a single positive case.
Formula 1 teams have remained apart from each other and within the same squads bubbles have been set up where possible.
The same approach has been taken for support categories Formula 2, Formula 3 and Porsche Supercup.
A statement issued by the championship on Friday confirmed that “between Friday 10th July and Thursday 16th July, 4,997 tests for COVID-19 have been performed on drivers, teams and personnel.
“Of these, two people have tested positive. The individuals were not present in Austria, with the affected people removed from operations and isolated.
“Tracing of close contacts completed and isolated. The FIA and Formula 1 are providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency.
“No specific details as to teams or individuals will be provided by the FIA or Formula 1 and results will be made public every seven days.”
The planned season-opening Australian Grand Prix was cancelled after McLaren withdrew when one team member tested positive for the virus.
Formula 1 has since confirmed that events will not be abandoned if a positive case is confirmed, with a system set up to test, track and isolate those who have potentially been exposed to the virus.
The championship’s Managing Director Ross Brawn warned last weekend that Formula 1 could not get complacent following zero positive cases across two rounds of testing, and said a positive test was inevitable.
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