Up Next
McLaren Formula 1 driver Lando Norris has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of a pre-season training camp.
Norris is in Dubai on holiday and suffered a loss of taste and smell, which prompted him to self-isolate and take a COVID test.
The test returned a positive result, which means Norris is self-isolating in his hotel for 14 days.
McLaren says Norris is “currently feeling well and reports no other symptoms”.
He added in his own statement that “I feel alright and have no other symptoms but I just wanted to let you all know”.
Norris’s two weeks in isolation represent an inconvenience to his preparation plans but should not have a major impact.
Pre-season testing is not due to begin until March 2 but this may even be pushed back – and moved to Bahrain – following the news the Australian Grand Prix is due to be postponed.
Norris is the fourth F1 driver known to have contracted the virus, albeit the first to do so outside of a season.
Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll and Lewis Hamilton all missed races during the 2020 championship because they suffered from the virus.
F1 had strict protocols in place to allow the 2020 season to take place amid the coronavirus pandemic.
These are likely to be required at the start of the 2021 season at least. Though vaccines have been approved and are being rolled out in various countries, the consequences of the pandemic are still being felt and this week the British government announced a new nationwide lockdown.
