Mercedes F1 team member tests positive for Covid-19

Mercedes has confirmed a member of its Formula 1 team has tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of this weekend's Eifel Grand Prix at the Nürburgring.

F1 confirmed a recent spike in cases over the past few weeks, with 10 people tested positive between September 25 and October 1, around the Russian Grand Prix weekend.

It was made clear all the cases involved ancillary staff and were not in any way linked to the attendance of fans at the Sochi Autodrom.

On this occasion, this single positive test is the first known case of an F1 member of staff since Racing Point driver Sergio Perez ahead of the British Grand Prix in July.

A Mercedes spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a team member has tested positive for COVID-19. This has been handled and is being handled in line with FIA protocols, working closely with the FIA.

"We ask for your understanding that we won't be offering additional details."

In line with FIA protocols, that person will now be required to self-isolate for up to 14 days, while F1 will robustly implement its test-and-trace system to ensure there is no spread.

F1 and the FIA have reiterated their stance that the sport can effectively operate with multiple tens of cases without a weekend being compromised.

To date, there have been almost 49,000 tests since the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix, with a total of 26 positive cases up until October 1, with the latest update due on Friday.

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