According to multiple reports, Formula One has confirmed its first positive tests of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) since the F1 season began.
The two positive tests were among nearly 5,000 conducted ahead of Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
According to Formula One, the infected had been removed from operations and isolated. They also hadn’t been in Austria for the circuit’s race July 5 and July 12.
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In a statement posted by Autosport:
The FIA and Formula 1 can today confirm that between Friday 10th July and Thursday 16th July, 4,997 tests for COVID-19 have been performed on drivers, teams and personnel. Of these, two people have tested positive. The individuals were not present in Austria, with the affected people removed from operations and isolated.
Tracing of close contacts completed and isolated. The FIA and Formula 1 are providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency.
No specific details as to teams or individuals will be provided.
F1 has been conducting large-scale COVID-19 testing on team personnel (including drivers) without any previously positive since opening its season two weeks ago in Austria.
Reports have been released each Friday by F1 and FIA, and nearly 10,000 tests among those working on consecutive grand prix weekends at the Red Bull Ring had been negative
A McLaren employee had tested positive for COVID-19 in March, a day before F1 made the decision to cancel its originally scheduled season opener in Australia.