The medical team in the car tested positive for Covid-19
Two replacements had to be urgently dispatched to Turkey to replace the medical car crew, who tested positive for Covid.
The crew of the medical car, highlighted last year during Romain Grosjean’s spectacular accident, will be replaced this weekend due to positive Covid-19 tests.
A spokesperson confirmed this information ahead of the race weekend: both were tested positive for Covid-19 before traveling and are therefore in isolation, and will not participate in the Turkish Grand Prix.
Pilot Alan Van Der Merwe and doctor Ian Roberts have both tested positive for Covid-19 and will have to hand over their Aston Martin DBX to Bruno Correira (pilot) and Dr. Bruno Franceshini (doctor).
They will be replaced on this test by Bruno Correia, driver of the safety car of the Formula E World Championship, and by Dr. Bruno Franceschini, medical delegate.
The return of the van der Merwe and Roberts crew could take place, in case of satisfactory tests during the next Grand Prix scheduled at the end of the month in the United States. Formula 1 and the FIA set an example during the 2020 health crisis by resuming an international championship ahead of everyone else. However, the organizers had emphasized the desire to preserve the health of their staff and the world revolving around Formula 1 at all costs. We can take the example of the confinement of several drivers (such as Sergio Pérez or Lewis Hamilton), or team personnel. This strictness has paid off since the appearance of Covid-19 as no cluster has been declared in the paddock since the implementation of these protocols.
