SAKHIR, Bahrain — Lewis Hamilton, who clinched his record-tying seventh Formula One world championship in mid-November, has tested positive for COVID-19.

As a result, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver will be unavailable to compete in this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix and the Bahrain Int’l Circuit.

Hamilton was tested three times last week and returned a negative result each time, the last of which was on Sunday afternoon prior to his victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix.

However, he woke up on Monday morning with mild symptoms and was informed at the same time that a contact prior to arrival in Bahrain had subsequently tested positive. Hamilton therefore took an additional test and returned a positive result. This has since been confirmed by a retest.

Hamilton is now isolating in accordance with COVID-19 protocols and public health authority guidelines in Bahrain. Apart from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fit and well, and the entire team sends him its very best wishes for a swift recovery.
Mercedes will announce its replacement driver plans for this weekend in due course.