Williams F1 boss Capito to miss rest of Dutch GP after contact with Raikkonen

Alfa Romeo announced this morning that Raikkonen returned a positive COVID-19 result. 

The team confirmed Raikkonen is “displaying no symptoms and is in good spirits”.

As a result, Robert Kubica has replaced him for the remainder of the weekend as he races for the first time since the 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

It is understood that Capito had dinner with Raikkonen last night and thus was in close contact.

As a precaution, the Williams boss will not re-enter the Zandvoort paddock despite testing negative.

A statement from Williams stated: “Following Kimi Räikkönen’s positive COVID-19 test announced this morning, Williams Racing can confirm that Jost Capito will not enter the F1 paddock for the remainder of the Dutch GP.

“Jost met with Kimi yesterday but in a socially distanced manner and while he is therefore not a close contact and has been retested with a negative result, Jost and Williams have taken the decision as a precautionary measure to mitigate any potential risk to the team.”

Williams sits 17 points clear of Alfa Romeo in the race for eighth in the constructors’ championship.

Alfa was ahead up until Hungary before Williams scored a double-points finish in a chaotic race before the summer break.

George Russell’s maiden podium last time out at Spa-Francorchamps moved the Grove-based outfit well clear in the standings with nine races remaining.