F1 | Hamilton aims to race in the season finale as he is recovering well from Covid-19
Lewis Hamilton has uploaded a video message, thorugh his social networks, and he has commented that he has had one of the hardest weeks but his recovery is going well as he expects to be back on his W11 for this week's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton, who was proclaimed seven times Formula 1 world champion during the Turkish Grand Prix, has commented that his recovery is going very well, and the British driver hopes to be able to drive in the last race of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. We have to remember that the Mercedes driver tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, November 30th, this caused him to not be allowed to participate in the Sakhir Grand Prix. This announcement allowed George Russell to get into his W11 to be able to drive with the German team, however, by chance of fate, the Williams driver did not have a chance to reach the podium after some strategy errors. After a week after the announcement, Lewis has uploaded a video, through his social networks, in which he reveals his current situation regarding his recovery.
The seven-time world champion described this week as one of the hardest and most difficult he has ever had, however, this did not make him stop and today, December 8, was his first physical training after contracting the virus. The main goal for the British driver is to be able to drive in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, however, in order to achieve this, Lewis must give a negative result in his next test, and the FIA has to authorize him to drive.
“I know I’ve not been in touch this past week but it’s definitely been one of the hardest weeks that I’ve had for some time. Just been focusing on recovering and trying to get back in shape so I can get back in the car and race the final race in Abu Dhabi.” Lewis commented on his video uploaded in today’s morning.
“I woke up today feeling great and got my first workout in so I just wanted to send you guys a message of positivity and let you know I’m ok, and thank every single one of you sending the amazing messages and videos. I really appreciate it.”
Love and appreciate you all🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/Y4qs5sYlYg
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) December 8, 2020
We know that the symptoms of the virus and its intensity can vary greatly in people and, in Lewis's case, these were mild symptoms. Bahrain, Sakhir and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix have been the strictest in terms of health measures to prevent the spread of the virus of Chinese origin called Covid-19. We must emphasize that absolutely all the personnel that will be present at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi had travelled from Bahrain to that country no later than Monday, December 7, however, Lewis Hamilton must remain isolated in his hotel in Bahrain. We also have to clarify that the seven-time world champion can arrive no later than Saturday since the FIA regulations stipulate that the participation of a driver in the main race on Sunday may be admitted as long as said driver has participated in at least one practice session (qualifying also counts). This was seen at the Eifel Grand Prix when Nico Hulkenberg replaced Lance Stroll from qualifying onwards.
What are the options that Mercedes has at this moment? The first is to hope that Hamilton is free of Covid-19 and can fly without problem to the United Arab Emirates to drive normally in his W11. On the other hand, if the British driver is still not in optimal health, George Russell is the German team's second choice to drive for them, just as it happened at the Sakhir Grand Prix. There is also the possibility that Lewis will arrive at the circuit until Saturday, so his replacement on Friday would be his current reserve driver, Stoffel Vandoorne.
