F1 records first positive COVID-19 tests since season resumed

Formula 1 has confirmed there have been two positive results for COVID-19 in the latest batch of testing ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

It marks the first time since the delayed 2020 season got back underway that somebody has tested positive for coronavirus.

F1 has been conducting regular testes for COVID-19 on all personnel attending the opening three races of the season, with all events taking place in a behind closed door format within a ‘biosphere’ atmosphere to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Out of more than 8,000 tests carried out across the opening two weekends in Austria, F1 recorded no positive cases.

However, F1 has since confirmed that two positive cases have emerged from its latest round of testing prior to this weekend’s third round of the campaign in Hungary.

"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," an F1 statement read.

"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 by the FIA or Formula 1 and results will be made public every 7 days.”

The last recorded case of coronavirus in the F1 paddock came at the original season-opener in Australia when a McLaren team member contracted the virus.

That resulted in McLaren pulling out of the event and ultimately forced the Melbourne race to be abandoned at the 11th hour, with the following nine races also called off as the pandemic worsened.

At last weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix, F1 managing director of motorsports Ross Brawn stressed the sport could not afford to get “complacent” about the coronavirus situation and said it was inevitable that a positive case would be confirmed at some stage.