No positive COVID-19 results in second round of F1 testing

Formula 1 has confirmed that no-one has tested positive for COVID-19 from its second round of testing, with more than 4,500 tests carried out.

F1 conducted 4,566 tests for coronavirus between Friday 3 July and Thursday 9 July on drivers, teams and personnel, with zero people testing positive for the virus.

It is the second batch of testing F1 has carried out since the delayed 2020 F1 season got underway last weekend with the Austrian Grand Prix, the first of two consecutive behind closed door races at the Red Bull Ring.

In total, over 10,000 tests have been conducted by F1 in Austria, with all of them coming back negative.

An F1 statement read: “The FIA and Formula 1 can today confirm that between Friday 3rd July and Thursday 9th July, 4566 tests for COVID-19 have been performed on drivers, teams and personnel. Of these, zero people have tested positive.”

F1 has enforced strict hygiene protocols on all members of staff on the ground to ensure events can go ahead safely, including the mandatory use of face masks and social distancing measures where possible.

A rigorous testing procedure is also being completed every five days for all personnel, with staff needing proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to be granted access to the paddock.

F1’s protocols came under scrutiny ahead of the Styrian Grand Prix when Charles Leclerc was given an official warning after the Ferrari driver was found to have broken the rules by returning to his home in Monaco between the two races in Austria.

Personnel are required to remain within their team ‘bubbles’ between races but Leclerc was pictured with friends during his brief visit back to Monaco.

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas also returned to Monaco this week but was not found to have breached the guidelines as he stayed within his bubble.