Alfa Romeo has confirmed its team principal Frederic Vasseur has tested positive for Covid-19 and as a result will not be present at the sole pre-season test at Bahrain International Circuit this week.
Vasseur’s positive test was identified “in the course of his regular schedule of Covid tests”, Alfa Romeo announced in a statement. He subsequently tested negative two days later, and Vasseur is not displaying any symptoms. However, in line with local regulations, he will remain in France and not travel to Bahrain.Alfa Romeo said the impact of Vasseur’s absence will be limited.
“In the interests of safety of Mr Vasseur himself, the team, all fellow competitors and the whole community and in respect of French regulations, Mr Vasseur will not travel to Bahrain and will continue operating from home for the next seven days, as required by the local authorities,” said the team in a statement.
“Mr Vasseur will be fully operational and connected to the garage for the duration of the test, and no deputy team principal will be named, with no further impact predicted on our operations this week.”
No other Alfa Romeo team members have been affected. Formula 1 Management said the procedures they have laid out with the FIA for managing Covid-19 will “ensure no wider impact on this week’s pre-season test which will continue as planned.”
All 10 teams will participate in the sole, three-day test beginning tomorrow in preparation for the new season.
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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 | |
| 1/12/2020 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Missed Sakhir Grand Prix |
| 5/1/2021 | Lando Norris | McLaren | |
| 13/1/2021 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | |
| 25/1/2021 | Toto Wolff | Mercedes | |
| 31/1/2021 | Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri | |
| 11/3/2021 | Frederic Vasseur | Alfa Romeo |
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Dave
11th March 2021, 20:01
Get well soon Vasseur.