Alfa Romeo Racing’s Frederic Vasseur has remained in his home after catching COVID-19, as he will miss the Bahrain F1 test.
With less than 12 hours remaining for the Bahrain F1 test to kick-off, Alfa Romeo confirmed a COVID-19 case, that of team principal Vasseur. The Frenchman tested positive in the team’s check initially but a second PCR test two days later returned negative.
Despite the negative result, he wasn’t allowed to travel as per the French protocol. Vasseur has shown no symptoms and will work from his home during the whole of Bahrain F1 test. Alfa Romeo confirmed that no other team member was affected because of this.
A statement from the F1 team reads: “Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN communicates that Team Principal, Frédéric Vasseur, will not attend the pre-season test taking place in Bahrain between March 12th and 14th. 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.
“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. All planned PR activities will continue as scheduled with the support of technological means.”
At the same time, a statement from Formula 1 reads: “The FIA, Formula 1 and Alfa Romeo Racing can confirm that during pre-event PCR testing for the Bahrain Formula 1 Tests, Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur returned a positive result for COVID-19.
“According to the protocols set out by the French authorities, he immediately self-isolated at his home. In respect of French regulations and in the interests of safety of Mr Vasseur himself, the team, all fellow competitors and the whole community, he will not travel to Bahrain.
“Mr Vasseur will continue to isolate at home for the next seven days. 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.”
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