Hamilton and Bottas 'living like hermits' to avoid Covid contact - Wolff

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has claimed Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas have been living "like hermits" this season to avoid exposure to Covid-19.

Mercedes has been hit this weekend with positive tests for two team members, while four others in contact with the duo have also been forced to self-isolate even though they have so far tested negative.

It has resulted in six personnel being flown out from the UK to bolster the team ahead of this weekend's Eifel Grand Prix at the Nürburgring.

It has led to question marks being raised as to the level of protection surrounding title contenders Hamilton and Bottas and the potential ramifications of a positive test for either.

Wolff has confirmed the duo to be "the most restricted of the whole group, of the whole team".

He added: "Certainly not a great situation because you almost need to live like a hermit. That’s what we’re doing.

"They are at home, they are not going out for dinners, they are not meeting any other people."

Explaining the additional steps being taken to minimise contact between the team and the drivers, Wolff said: "Within the team we do debriefs via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

"They’re not sitting in the room with the engineers, they are sitting in their own rooms. We are avoiding as much as possible any personal contact with them. We try to do this.

"Stepping into the car, driving the car, keeping the distance whilst we belt them in and then drive.

"That is really critical for the championship if you miss a race or two. So unfortunately for them, they need to live a life that is a bit secluded. But we think the decisions we’ve taken are good and protected."

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