Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton to miss Sakhir Grand Prix after testing positive for COVID-19

MANAMA: Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the upcoming Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain, the sport's governing FIA said on Tuesday (Dec 1).

Hamilton who on Sunday won the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first of back-to-back races in the Gulf state, has already secured a record-equalling seventh world championship this season.

"Apart from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fit and well," his Mercedes team said.

"Lewis was tested three times last week and returned a negative result each time, the last of which was on Sunday afternoon at the Bahrain International Circuit as part of the standard race weekend testing programme," the Formula One champions said in a statement.

"However he woke up on Monday morning with mild symptoms and was informed at the same time that a contact prior to arrival in Bahrain had subsequently tested positive.

"Lewis therefore took a further test and returned a positive result. This has since been confirmed by a retest."

The 35-year-old Briton was isolating according to local health guidelines, the team said, with a replacement driver to be announced in due course.