Formula 1: Could Sergio Perez miss multiple races?
By Asher Fair
Sergio Perez is slated to miss this weekend’s British Grand Prix having testing positive for COVID-19. But will he miss multiple Formula 1 races?
After having an “inconclusive test” and self-isolating away from Silverstone Circuit on Thursday ahead of the Formula 1 race weekend at the track, Sergio Perez was re-tested for COVID-19 and it was confirmed that he had contracted the novel coronavirus.
As a result, the Racing Point driver will not be able to compete in this Sunday’s 52-lap British Grand Prix around the 18-turn, 3.661-mile (5.892-kilometer) road course in Silverstone, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom alongside teammate Lance Stroll, whom he leads by four points (22-18) in the driver standings through the season’s first three races.
But is it possible that he will miss more than one race?
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Based on new restrictions imposed by United Kingdom’s government, it is likely that the 30-year-old Mexican will be forced to miss not only this Sunday’s race at the track but next Sunday’s, the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix, as well, despite the fact that the virus has not left him feeling physically ill.
On Thursday, the day Perez tested positive, the government extended the isolation period for those who have tested positive from seven to 10 days. Practice for next Sunday’s 52-lap race is scheduled to begin on Friday, August 7, just eight days after Perez’s positive test, while qualifying is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 8.
The race itself is exactly 10 days later on Sunday, August 9, but at that point, a safer bet would be to utilize a replacement, given that Perez won’t have been able to turn laps ahead of time.
Nico Hulkenberg, the veteran who lost his ride with Renault after the 2019 season, is set to replace Perez this weekend. He drove for Racing Point when they were still known as Force India back in 2012 and then again from 2014 through 2016.
Interestingly, Hulkenberg remains the most recent driver to beat Perez head-to-head in a teammate points battle, having won in 2014. Perez’s five-year streak of beating his teammates is the longest active streak in the sport by two years.
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Both races at Silverstone Circuit, one this Sunday, August 2 and the other next Sunday, August 9, are set to be broadcast live on ESPN beginning at 9:10 a.m. ET.