F1 drivers just cant’t stay away from COVID, can they? Charles Leclerc has tested positive for COVID, after he contracted the virus at the start of the year as well. His test was done after he travelled back home to Monaco after the end-of-season Young Driver’s Test, where he was only found to have mild symptoms, though in the interest of safety he is isolating.
The young Ferrari driver had contracted the virus back in January as well, though he managed to make a full recovery. 7 F1 drivers have contacted COVID since 2020 (Perez, Stroll, Hamilton, Norris, Leclerc, Gasly, Raikkonen), and Leclerc is currently the only F1 driver to have contacted COVID twice.
Scuderia Ferrari also put out a statement:
Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow driver @Charles_Leclerc has tested positive for COVID-19.
In accordance with protocols required by FIA and the team, Charles was tested on his return from Abu Dhabi.
He is currently feeling fine, with mild symptoms and will self-isolate at home.— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) December 16, 2021
Many from the F1 community have contracted COVID this year, including team bosses Zak Brown and Fred Vasseur. We wish Charles a speedy recovery, and sincerely hope that the number of COVID contractions by F1 personnel reduces with the passage of time!