Racing Point says it is hopeful that Sergio Perez will be able to return to Formula 1 action at next weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Perez was cleared by Public Health England to end his period of self-isolation on Thursday but per the FIA Code of Conduct still had to return a negative Covid-19 test.
On Friday morning it was confirmed that Perez remains Covid-19 positive and is continuing to remain separate from the rest of the team.
Nico Hulkenberg will again stand in for Perez at Silverstone this weekend.
Spain’s entry rules suggest that anyone with Covid-19 symptoms within a 14-day period should not enter the country but in theory Perez will be clear if and when he can return a negative test.
“I hope so,” Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer told the official Formula 1 website on whether Perez could return in Spain.
“He feels well in himself, he was asymptomatic I think for almost all the days. He had a headache for one of the days but that could have been from anything. We hope to get him back asap.
“Checo knows this car well, knows our team well, he’s a great racer and qualifier.
“We did the best we could with calling up Nico, who we know well and he knows us well, but it’s still not the same as having your regular driver in.
“But it’s the times we live in, he tested positive for the virus, we have to take the precautions which are set out in the Covid-19 Code of conduct and that’s exactly what we’re doing, and also adhering to the guidelines of Public Health England.”
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