Formula 1 Race Directors Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas have reportedly tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, media reports have claimed.
Wittich and Freitas are sharing the race directing duties of Formula 1 races for the 2022 season, after they were appointed to replace the former director Michael Masi, who was ousted after the controversy of the 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The race weekend in Miami is scheduled between May 6 and 8, which means that both or any of the two directors could still recover and return a negative test in time of the race.
As per the regulations in the United States, a person needs to present a negative Covid test no more than one day before travelling.
Who will cover the Race Director duties
The FIA is yet to issue any statement, but Sky Sports F1 has reported that former director Masi is not an option, but Herbie Blash might be selected to deputize for the ill Race Directors.
Blash was the long time deputy to the late F1 Race Director Charlie Whiting, and is currently a permanent senior advisor assisting Freitas and Wittich.
Colin Haywood, who was due to be the deputy race director in Miami, is another option to play the Race Director role at the inaugural Miami Grand Prix.
Blash and Haywood have never occupied a race directing role before, but Sky Sports reported that Scott Elkins, the DTM race director, might be under consideration for the role.