Hamilton wore a face mask again in the paddock when he revealed that other people around him were “getting sick” with Covid.
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Lewis Hamilton explained his reason for re-dressing in a face mask in the paddock with other people around him who were “back to having health problems” with Covid-19.
The Mercedes star has the virus twice, without the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix following a positive test, with teammate George Russell replacing him in Bahrain.
While he dressed in a mandatory paddock mask in 2020 and for long periods of 2021, the rules were relaxed in 2022, but many have noticed that Hamilton, 37, began covering his face in recent weeks.
Speaking after last week’s Austrian Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion explained that it is a “personal choice”, adding that he “absolutely does not need to have health problems again”.
“No, it’s a non-public election,” Hamilton said.
“I just noticed that many other people around me have health issues and I definitely don’t need to have health issues again. I have already experienced it twice. Many of my friends have sent me a message saying they have Covid and some are much worse than others.
“No one wears a mask, so I definitely wear mine. I urge other people to do what they need to do: it’s their fitness at the end of the day, but I want to get the house in shape. I need to be able to get up and exercise and do the things I love to do and I try, if I can, to keep the other people I love around me when I can when I’m with them.
Sebastian Vettel missed the first two races of the 2022 season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia after contracting the virus, while rising infection rates in Europe in recent weeks have added to Hamilton’s concern.
F1 travels to the Circuit Paul Ricard in the south of France this week for the French Grand Prix, the penultimate race before summer break with Hungary’s race next week.
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