F1 declines Bahrain offer of Covid vaccination

Formula 1 has declined an offer from the Bahrain International Circuit to vaccinate personnel attending pre-season testing from Covid-19.

Bahrain currently has five different vaccines in circulation and offered F1 personnel access to the Pfizer vaccine, an offer that has been declined by the sport.

A spokesperson for the sport said: “Formula 1, as a UK based organisation, has no plans to be vaccinated as a travelling group ahead of the already established rollout of vaccines through the health system in the UK.”

Eight of the 10 teams currently on the grid are at least partially based in the United Kingdom and FIA president Stefano Domenicali said recently: "We don’t want to jump the line of vaccination.

"For sure vaccination is very, very important and I would say that I’m looking forward to being vaccinated as, I would say, everyone, should be in this moment."

The possibility for personnel to receive the vaccination in Bahrain arose after the Australian Grand Prix was postponed to November - a decision that resulted in pre-season testing being moved to the Gulf state that would now also host the season-opening race.

Pre-season testing will occur between March 12-14 with the race itself taking place on March 28 - a timeframe that allows for two doses to be administered 21 days apart.

A letter from the Bahrain International Circuit said: "Due to the timescale of this year's F1 event, including testing, the vast majority of participants will be present in Bahrain for a three-week period ahead of the race.

"This, in turn, allows a unique opportunity to provide additional protection for those who wish to take up the opportunity in the form of vaccination."

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