Red Bull sporting director Wheatley to miss Bahrain GP after positive Covid-19 test

2020 Bahrain Grand Prix

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Red Bull’s sporting director Jonathan Wheatley will miss this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix after testing positive for Covid-19.

Wheatley tested positive while in the UK before he was due to travel to the circuit. The team confirmed none of its other staff members have tested positive for the virus.

As he will now have to isolate for 10 days, he is also unlikely to attend next week’s Sakhir Grand Prix.

“In accordance with official protocols he will continue to isolate for the 10 day period and not attend the Bahrain GP,” said Red Bull in a statement.

“Jonathan’s duties will be shared by a number of team personnel at this weekend’s Bahrain GP,” it added. “The positive test has not resulted in any other team members needing to isolate following contact tracing and will not affect the team’s trackside operations.”

Wheatley, a long-serving member of the team who joined them during their second season of F1 in 2006, is responsible for, among other things, Red Bull’s consistently impressive and record-breaking pit stops.

Notable positive Covid-19 cases in F1

Date Individual/s Team/other Notes
18/03/2020 One team member McLaren
30/07/2020 Sergio Perez Racing Point Missed British and 70th Anniversary grands prix
08/10/2020 Six team members Mercedes
13/10/2020 Two team members Renault
21/10/2020 Lawrence Stroll Racing Point
21/10/2020 Lance Stroll Racing Point Missed Eifel Grand Prix
30/10/2020 Four team members Racing Point
11/11/2020 Simon Roberts Williams
16/11/2020 Mario Isola Pirelli
26/11/2020 Jonathan Wheatley Red Bull

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Covid-19 tests and positive cases in Formula 1

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Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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2 comments on “Red Bull sporting director Wheatley to miss Bahrain GP after positive Covid-19 test”

  1. Reporting disease ?

  2. Seems like a great guy. He left Renault at their peak and helped Red Bull become the powerhouse it is today.

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