Lewis Hamilton tests positive for COVID-19 and can't compete in Sakhir GP

He has already won the 2020 Formula 1 drivers' championship, but Lewis Hamilton won't be adding to his points tally this weekend. He has tested positive for COVID-19 and won't be able to race at the Sakhir Grand Prix on Sunday.

The news was announced by Formula 1, who made clear that the Englishman tested negative three times last week and that he wasn't positive during last weekend's race.

"Hamilton, who sealed this year's title in Turkey and won Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix, was tested three times last week including Sunday afternoon as part of the regular testing programme, returning a negative result each time according to Mercedes," F1 stated.

"However, on Monday morning, he woke up with mild symptoms and was informed at the same time that a prior to arrival in Bahrain had subsequently tested positive.

"Hamilton took another test and this returned a positive result. A subsequent retest confirmed the result. He is now isolating in accordance with COVID-19 protocols and public health guidelines in Bahrain.

"Apart from mild symptoms, Mercedes say he is otherwise fit and well, with the entire team sending him best wishes for a swift recovery.

"Close s of Hamilton are being retested following the Briton's test result."

This weekend's Sakhir Grand Prix is also taking place in Bahrain, just like last weekend's race that Hamilton won. But, this time it'll be on the outer circuit at the Bahrain International Circuit.

It is the penultimate race of the season, ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 13. Hamilton could return for that one.

Hamilton is the third F1 driver to test positive for the coronavirus over the course of this season, after Sergio Perez did so and missed Silverstone and after Lance Stroll did so and missed the race in .