F1 reports 12 positive Covid tests during Bahrain GP

Sam Hall
Tuesday 30 March 2021 10:22 - Updated: 10:27

Formula 1 and the FIA have confirmed there were 12 positive cases of Covid-19 from testing across the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.

In order to return to racing last year, F1 introduced a strict Covid testing regime, with all personnel attending a grand prix event required to return a negative test before being granted admission into the paddock.

In a change from 2020, when figures released also included offsite results, now only the results of those tested onsite are included in the latest numbers. This is due to the way testing has changed across Europe with lateral flows and private testing.

A statement said: "The FIA and Formula 1 can today confirm that at the 2021 FIA Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix, between Monday 22nd March and Sunday 28th March, 8,150 tests for Covid-19 were performed on drivers, teams and personnel.

"Of these, 12 people tested positive. The FIA and Formula 1 are providing this aggregated information from each grand prix for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency."

Of these, 12 people tested positive. The FIA and Formula 1 are providing this aggregated information from each Grand Prix for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency.

— F1 Media (@F1Media) March 30, 2021

This figure is an increase in comparison to the number of positive tests conducted in the closing races of last year, although the number of tests has also significantly increased, with 2,138 and 4,887 recorded in the two previous reports.