Alfa Romeo F1 boss Vasseur tests positive for COVID-19
Alfa Romeo Formula 1 chief Frederic Vasseur will miss pre-season testing in Bahrain after testing positive for COVID-19.
Alfa Romeo issued a statement on Thursday revealing that Vasseur had returned a positive result during his routine testing recently, forcing him to self-isolate from his home in France.
Although Vasseur returned a negative test result on a subsequent PCR test and is displaying no symptoms, the team has announced he will not travel to Bahrain as per local protocols.
"Alfa Romeo Racing communicates that team principal, Frederic Vasseur, will not attend the pre-season test taking place in Bahrain between March 12th and 14th," the team said in a statement.
"In the course of his regular schedule of COVID tests, Mr Vasseur had a positive result and, according to the protocols set out by the French authorities, he immediately self-isolated in his home.
"A second PCR test, performed two days later, returned a negative result. Mr Vasseur does not display symptoms and is in good spirits.
"However, 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."
The team said that Vasseur would remain "fully operational and connected to the garage" during the test, meaning no deputy will be named to step in to his role for the weekend.
According to a joint statement from F1 and the FIA, "no other members of the Alfa Romeo Racing team have been affected, and the procedures set out by the FIA and Formula 1 will ensure no wider impact on this week's pre-season test which will continue as planned".
F1 conducted rigorous COVID-19 testing in the lead-up to each grand prix through 2020, requiring all personnel on-site to return a negative result before they could enter the paddock.
Under the revised COVID-19 protocols for 2021, a test is no longer required prior to entry, but must still be conducted within 24 hours of arriving at the track.
F1 pre-season testing gets underway at the Bahrain International Circuit on Friday, with Alfa Romeo drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi set to split duties in the C41 car.
Related video
Previous article
Williams has "almost a first-race upgrade" for F1 testing
Next article
Ferrari not expecting Sainz to be "fully integrated" by first race
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Teams | Alfa Romeo |
| Author | Luke Smith |
How Do Drivers Stay Fit For F1 Grand Prix?
Ronnie Peterson and Jochen Rindt Tribute
#ThinkingForward with Juan Pablo Montoya
The themes to watch in F1's Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. Ben Anderson looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says Nigel Roebuck.
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Is Formula 1 as good as it has ever been now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle.
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his teammate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen's emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber teammate's own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here's how Nick Heidfeld's career was chilled by the Iceman.
