Formula one is back for a three-days run of testing on the track of the Bahrain international circuit, between March 12th and March 14th. The return of the sport is nonetheless still impacted by the sanitary crisis that is the spreading of Covid-19, which remains a critical matter. Several members of the paddock have already tested positive, both drivers — Perez, Stroll, Hamilton, Leclerc, Norris, Gasly — and team principals — Roberts, Wolff —.

Thursday afternoon, a communication from Alfa Romeo Racing informed that team principal Frederic Vasseur will not attend the pre-season test taking place in Bahrain.

“In the course of his regular schedule of COVID tests, Mr Vasseur had a positive result and, according to the protocols set out by the French authorities, he immediately self-isolated in his home."

“A second PCR test, performed two days later, returned a negative result. Mr Vasseur does not display symptoms and is in good spirits."

“In the interests of safety of Mr Vasseur himself, the team, all fellow competitors and the whole community and in respect of French regulations, Mr Vasseur will not travel to Bahrain and will continue operating from home for the next seven days, as required by the local authorities,” said the team in the statement.

Alfa Romeo assured that it’s team principal Mr Vasseur will be fully operational and connected to the garage for the duration of the test, and that no deputy team principal will be named, with no further impact predicted on their operations during the week of testing.

Statement by the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN Team 🗞 pic.twitter.com/8L2Cx0DxL0

— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) March 11, 2021

Furthermore, according to a joint statement from F1 and the FIA, no other members of the Alfa Romeo Racing team have been affected, and the procedures set out by the FIA and Formula 1 will ensure no wider impact on this week’s pre-season test, which will continue as planned.