Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Motorsport
Motorsport
Sport
Luke Smith

Ricciardo tests positive for COVID-19, will miss final F1 test day

His team has suggested that his participation in next weekend’s Bahrain GP is not under threat and that he will be able to take part.

Lando Norris will drive the MCL36 for a third consecutive day of testing on Saturday.

Ricciardo was due to drive the car on Thursday morning’s first session in Sakhir, but he was feeling unwell and thus Norris did both the morning and afternoon sessions.

The team hoped that he would be able to drive on Friday morning but shortly before action began it reported that he was still feeling unwell, noting that it “will continue to assess him before he resumes duties.”

It added: “Daniel has had several precautionary Covid-19 tests during this time, which have been negative throughout.”

However any chance of a return to the cockpit on Saturday was ended when he had a positive test today.

In a statement issued on Friday evening the team said: “McLaren Racing can confirm that after feeling unwell from Wednesday onwards in Bahrain, Daniel Ricciardo has now returned a positive PCR test for covid-19.

“Daniel is therefore continuing to isolate in accordance with local regulations.

“Under these regulations Daniel will be released in time for next weekend’s Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. Daniel is already beginning to feel better, and we wish him well for a quick recovery.

“Following this, we can confirm that Lando Norris will remain in the MCL36 for the final day of the official pre-season test in Bahrain tomorrow.”

F1 drivers wearing "No War" T-shirts. Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren and Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing (Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images)

Ricciardo issued a brief statement on his condition via on Twitter: "Better this week than next… Unfortunate to miss the test, but I’m starting to feel better. I’ll stay isolated and just focus on next weekend. Big thanks to Lando & McLaren for the heavy lifting, I owe you some beers (milk for Lando). Appreciate the well wishes from everyone."

Assuming that Ricciardo is indeed passed fit to take part in next weekend’s race he will be at a significant disadvantage after missing all three days of the Bahrain test.

If he is not able to take part the McLaren will have to call on a reserve driver. It has an arrangement with Mercedes to share its reserve drivers, Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries.

Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll have all had to miss races due to testing positive for COVID-19.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.