Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley has tested positive for coronavirus and, as per FIA protocols, will self-isolate for 10 days and therefore won’t be attending this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
“We can confirm that during mandatory pre-race testing in the UK, Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley tested positive for COVID-19,” Red Bull Racing said in a statement on Thursday.
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“In accordance with official protocols, he will continue to isolate for the 10 day period and not attend the Bahrain Grand Prix,” the team added.
This comes as Formula One’s last three races of the 2020 season – a double-header in Bahrain before the season finale in Abu Dhabi – get underway.
Wheatley’s duties will be shared by a number of team personnel who will fill in for him at this weekend’s Bahrain GP.
No other members of staff will need to self-isolate and Red Bull’s trackside operations won’t be affected by his absence, the team added.
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