Red Bull’s sporting director Jonathan Wheatley will miss this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix after testing positive for Covid-19.
Wheatley tested positive while in the UK before he was due to travel to the circuit. The team confirmed none of its other staff members have tested positive for the virus.As he will now have to isolate for 10 days, he is also unlikely to attend next week’s Sakhir Grand Prix.
“In accordance with official protocols he will continue to isolate for the 10 day period and not attend the Bahrain GP,” said Red Bull in a statement.
“Jonathan’s duties will be shared by a number of team personnel at this weekend’s Bahrain GP,” it added. “The positive test has not resulted in any other team members needing to isolate following contact tracing and will not affect the team’s trackside operations.”
Wheatley, a long-serving member of the team who joined them during their second season of F1 in 2006, is responsible for, among other things, Red Bull’s consistently impressive and record-breaking pit stops.
Notable positive Covid-19 cases in F1
| Date | Individual/s | Team/other | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18/03/2020 | One team member | McLaren | |
| 30/07/2020 | Sergio Perez | Racing Point | Missed British and 70th Anniversary grands prix |
| 08/10/2020 | Six team members | Mercedes | |
| 13/10/2020 | Two team members | Renault | |
| 21/10/2020 | Lawrence Stroll | Racing Point | |
| 21/10/2020 | Lance Stroll | Racing Point | Missed Eifel Grand Prix |
| 30/10/2020 | Four team members | Racing Point | |
| 11/11/2020 | Simon Roberts | Williams | |
| 16/11/2020 | Mario Isola | Pirelli | |
| 26/11/2020 | Jonathan Wheatley | Red Bull |
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Covid-19 tests and positive cases in Formula 1
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Retired (@jeff1s)
26th November 2020, 10:07
Reporting disease ?
Patrick (@paeschli)
26th November 2020, 10:08
Seems like a great guy. He left Renault at their peak and helped Red Bull become the powerhouse it is today.