Hamilton's father says now is not the time for F1 to return

Anthony Hamilton has said that Formula 1 should not be returning to the track until Covid-19 is defeated.

The break between the end of the 2019 Formula 1 season and the start of the 2020 campaign will be the longest in history - a total of 217 days having passed between races.

Hamilton however, says that Formula 1 should wait longer, and not go racing until frontline workers such as doctors and nurses can enjoy the races alongside the rest of the fanbase.

"Motorsport is a global sport with a global fan base. Now is not the time to be turning our backs on those who cannot take part, or come and watch. Now is the time for us to wait, be patient and support. If we don't have fans, we don't have a sport and right now our fans are fighting on the frontline saving the lives of our fans.

"Although with each day things are improving and the number of virus-related deaths is falling, the enemy is not yet defeated. This is still a very clear and ever present threat to our lives and society so what is this rush back to motorsport?"

While the excitement level for the return of Formula 1 continues to rise, Hamilton added: "it would make me feel extremely disingenuous to celebrate watching Lewis racing, or celebrating on the podium. I wouldn't particularly want to be watching the TV and cheering while thousands of people are dying from a virus."

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