Racing Point’s Perez to be replaced at Silverstone after COVID-19 positive

Racing Point’s Mexican driver Sergio Perez has been ruled out of the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend after returning a positive on a COVID-19 test.

Perez becomes first Formula 1 driver to contract COVID-19

All drivers and staff are repeatedly tested ahead of each race with Perez, the first member of the grid to test positive for the virus that causes the respiratory disease.

Racing Point have asserted that the 30-year-old driver is both physically well and in good spirits after the test. He will need to test negative before he is allowed to rejoin the racing environment.

The virus has already wrought havoc on the Formula 1 season with several races cancelled and organisers forced to stage back-to-back races at the same venue.

Perez is likely to miss both races at the famous circuit with a 70th anniversary race following this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The Candadian team, who have courted controversy this season with a car that bears a striking similarity to the 2019 World Championship-winning Mercedes, will replace 

Racing Point’s engines are supplied by Mercedes and the teams have an agreement to share reserve drivers, however, it has been reported that former Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg has been hit up to take the wheel for this Sunday’s race.

What next for the British Grand Prix and Racing Point?

The Grand Prix will go ahead despite the positive test with Perez and a handful of team members isolated for ten days.

“Whereas the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled when a McLaren team member tested positive for Covid-19, the circumstances and situation has evolved dramatically since then,” Formula1.com explains.

“Ahead of the 2020 season restart, it has been the desire of all the stakeholders that should there be a positive case, the individual will be isolated along with those in their immediate bubble, to allow the show to go on.

“That procedure has been followed in the case of Perez, allowing the British Grand Prix to continue as planned. As per the rules, Racing Point are allowed to make a substitution while Perez recovers.”

Who will drive the ‘pink Mercedes’?

Racing Point have access to the Mercedes reserve drivers, Stoffel Vandoorne and Esteban Gutierrez but appear set to hand Hulkenberg another Grand Prix start.

It is presumed that the replaement driver will compete at both races staged at Silverstone.

When Racing Point have settled on a driver, they will make a request to the FIA to change drivers. FIA F1 Race Director Michael Masi said the FIA “would approve such a change in the circumstances”.

Perez currently sits sixth in the championship with Racing Point fourth in the constructor standings.