The Mercedes team says Lewis Hamilton‘s condition is “improving” but they are not sure he will be able to race at F1‘s season-finale in Abu Dhabi at least not until closer to the weekend.
George Russell, who is taking Hamilton’s place for Thursday’s media day, is ready to race in his stead if required.
Hamilton tested positive for coronavirus on Monday, November 30, and could not feature in the last race which happened over the weekend with the Briton revealing earlier this week that he was back training and was aiming to return this weekend.
But if Hamilton returns a negative Covid-19 swab, Mercedes, who will do “everything we can” to ensure their star driver’s return, admit there are plenty of uncertainties heading to 2020’s concluding round.
“There are still some question marks over who will be in the car this weekend in Abu Dhabi,” said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
“Lewis’s condition is improving, but we won’t know until closer to the time if he will be driving.”
“We’ll do everything we can to get him in the car and we know he’s determined to be back as soon as possible. But his health is our main priority, so we will see what the situation is and then make the call.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said after last Sunday’s Sakhir GP that Russell, who usually races for Williams and nearly won in Hamilton’s place in Bahrain, would again sub for the seven-time world champion if the 35-year-old wasn’t able to race.
Hamilton could possibly fly to Abu Dhabi on Thursday, that being the earliest he could return, and practice at the Yas Marina circuit starts on Friday.
But F1 rules state that drivers can compete in the Grand Prix if they have participated in at least one practice session that weekend, of which qualifying is included and Hamilton could conceivably return to action as late as Saturday’s qualifying session.
Speaking in a video posted on his social media on Tuesday from Bahrain, Hamilton said: “Hi everyone. I hope you are all well.
“I know I’ve not been in touch this past week but it’s definitely been one of the hardest weeks that I’ve had for some time. Just been focusing on recovering and trying to get back in shape so I can get back in the car and race the final race in Abu Dhabi.”
“I woke up today feeling great and got my first workout in so I just wanted to send you guys a message of positivity and let you know I’m ok, and thank every single one of you for sending the amazing messages and videos. I really appreciate it.”
His health and safety of everyone first, biko.