Sergio Pérez became the first Formula One driver since the start of the season to test positive for coronavirus on Thursday and was scrapped from this weekend's British Grand Prix. Organizers, however, insisted that Sunday's race will continue as the incident "will not have a broader impact on the event." "Following the announcement that Sergio tested positive for COVID-19 at the Silverstone circuit prior to the British Grand Prix, the team regrets to announce that he will not be able to participate in this weekend's race," said the Pérez Racing team. Point in a statement. .
The 30-year-old Mexican is the first pilot to test positive for the virus since the world championship began in early Austria in early July under strict health protocols.
"Sergio is physically well and in a good mood, but he will continue to isolate himself under the guidelines of the relevant public health authorities, with safety as the top priority for the team and the sport," added his team.
Britain's quarantine rules may mean Perez will miss the fifth round of the championship, also at Silverstone, next weekend.
Pérez will likely be replaced by Mexico's Esteban Gutiérrez or Belgium's Stoffel Vandoorne for Sunday's race, the fourth round of this season's truncated schedule.
However, some media reports suggested that German veteran Nico Hulkenberg, who lost his seat with Renault last year, could be recruited.
Earlier Thursday, Racing Point said Perez had returned an "inconclusive Covid-19 test."
He was absent from official media activities while awaiting the result of a second test.
Formula One has a strict protocol for everyone involved in a grand prize with staff evaluated before each event and every five days.
The F1 season has so far seen more than 15,000 tests.
As of Thursday, there had only been two positive results, both for local configuration staff.
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