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LONDON – Racing Point has defended its movements after it became known that Canadian Formula One driving force Lance Stroll and team owner Lawrence’s father tested positive for Covid-19 after this month’s Eifel Grand Prix.
Stroll Junior, who left Nurburgring before the October 11 race after flu-like symptoms and abdominal discomfort, said on social media that he is now transparent and able to compete in Portugal this weekend.
A spokesman for the team said Lawrence, who is executive chairman of British sports car manufacturer Aston Martin, also tested positive at home on race day and in the paintings after taking action.
Senior Stroll attended the Eifel Grand Prix or the race in Russia before that.
The team said Lance Stroll had passed a check on Sunday after flying to Switzerland on a personal plane. Tests before race weekend were negative and the team said at the time that they had old Covid-19 symptoms.
The scenario raised considerations about transparency within Covid’s team and testing protocols, but Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer said they had acted in accordance with the guidelines.
“He (Lance Stroll) consulted a doctor who did not indicate that his symptoms indicated Covid-19 and did not propose that control be necessary,” the American said.
“Based on this clinical evaluation, at that time, the FIA is not to be told the nature of the disease. “
Szafnauer said at the time that the driving force had been felt since the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi on 27 September.
The only other Formula One driving force that has contracted the virus so far is Stroll’s Mexican teammate Sergio Perez, who missed two runs in August after a house to see his mother.
Szafnauer said it was team policy to review all members when they were returning from a race. Last Monday, Stroll had tested negative and would do it to Portimao, he added.
All other team members tested negative on their return to England and in the pre-event events this weekend.
“I feel in a wonderful way and can’t wait to get back to the team and run in Portugal,” Lance Stroll said.
Formula One groups work in “bubble bubbles,” away from others and separated internally to restrict the threat of contagion.
The protocol was tightened against Portugal and no one can enter the paddock without generating a negative control result on the spot.
Mercedes champions, who have Lewis Hamilton at the helm for a seventh world championship, have reported two cases at Nurburgring with six England substitutes.
Sunday’s race on the Algarve circuit will be the 12th circular of the season and the first Portuguese Grand Prix in 24 years, and was added to the calendar after some other races were cancelled due to the pandemic.
The season opener in Australia in March was cancelled after a McLaren worker tested positive for Covid-19, with the championship blocked until July.
Reuters
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