Alfa Romeo and Formula 1 have confirmed that team principal Frederic Vasseur has tested positive for COVID-19 and will thus miss preseason testing at Bahrain International Circuit which begins tomorrow.
The team released the following statement:
“Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN communicates that Team Principal, Frederic Vasseur, will not attend the pre-season test taking place in Bahrain between March 12th and 14th. In the course of his regular schedule of Covid tests, Mr Vasseur had a positive result and, according to the protocols set out by the French authorities, he immediately self-isolated in his home.
“A second PCR test, performed two days later, returned a negative result. Mr Vasseur does not display symptoms and is in good spirits.
“However, in the interests of safety of Mr Vasseur himself, the team, all fellow competitors and the whole community and in respect of French regulations, Mr Vasseur will not travel to Bahrain and will continue operating from home for the next seven days, as required by the local authorities.
“Mr Vasseur will be fully operational and connected to the garage for the duration of the test, and no Deputy Team Principal will be named, with no further impact predicted on our operations this week.”
Alfa Romeo join the other nine F1 teams taking part in the test at Sakhir with their drivers Kimi Rainnonen and Antonio Givovoinazzi to share the C41 on Friday.
Statement by the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN Team ? pic.twitter.com/8L2Cx0DxL0
— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) March 11, 2021