Sergio Perez has called for Formula One to have a discussion on whether drivers should be allowed to race even if they have tested positive for Covid.
The new season gets underway in Bahrain on Sunday but four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will not be on the grid, after coming down with the virus. Nico Hulkenberg has been called up to race his Aston Martin.
McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo also sat out the final few days of pre-season running after testing positive, despite the paddock maintaining a large degree of its strict rules that aim to prevent a Covid outbreak.
“Going forward it's something that we should discuss, whether we allow the drivers to race with Covid, if the symptoms are mild,” said Perez.
“These days if you're feeling bad, obviously the drivers can be the judge, but I think it makes sense to have a discussion.”
Ferrari racer Carlos Sainz has admitted that he is also in “two minds” as to how much attention F1 puts on Covid this season, with cases still high in many parts of the world but areas with high vaccination seeing a significant drop in hospitalisations and deaths.
Perez noted: “There's so much we've learned with Covid now and there is only so much you can do.
“If you want to look after yourself [completely], you have to stay at home for 24 hours and cook for yourself and do everything on your own.
“But there is only so much you can do, so I think it's just luck dependent. It is difficult to not do anything. I'm just very sorry for Seb and for Daniel, but it can happen to anyone.”
