Mazepin ruled out of Abu Dhabi GP after testing positive for coronavirus

The
Russian,
who
qualified
at
the
back
of
the
grid
on
Saturday
(December
11),
will
sit
out
the
season-ending
race
after
returning
a
positive
result
at
the
Yas
Marina
Circuit.

Mazepin
had
driven
in
all
of
the
sessions
ahead
of
Sunday’s
concluding
race,
meaning
reserve
driver
Pietro
Fittipaldi
is
unable
to
step
in.

Mick
Schumacher
will
therefore
be
Haas’ sole
representative
in
the
19-driver
race,
with
the
German
starting
from
19th.

Abu
Dhabi
GP:
Verstappen
grabs
pole

Formula
One
confirmed
all
of
Mazepin’s
close
contacts
have
been
declared
and
there
will
be
no
wider
impact
on
Sunday’s
highly
anticipated
race.

Hi,
everyone!
Sorry
to
report
I’ve
had
a
positive
Covid
test.
Feeling
totally
fine
but
won’t
be
able
to
race
today.
Wishing
all
my
fellow
drivers
a
fantastic
end
to
the
season
and
sending
thanks
and
love
to
everyone
for
their
support.

—
Nikita
Mazepin
(@nikita_mazepin)

December
12,
2021

A
Haas
statement
read:
“Nikita
is
physically
well,
having
been
asymptomatic,
but
he
will
now
self-isolate
and
adhere
to
the
guidelines
of
the
relevant
public
health
authorities,
with
safety
the
ultimate
priority
for
all
parties
concerned.

“Uralkali
Haas
F1
Team
wish
Nikita
well,
and
we
look
forward
to
his
return
to
the
race
track
in
early
2022
for
pre-season
testing.”

Mazepin,
who
is
one
of
only
two
regular
drivers
–
alongside
team-mate
Schumacher
–
without
a
point
to
his
name
this
season,
added
in
a
social
media
post:
“Hi,
everyone!
Sorry
to
report
I’ve
had
a
positive
Covid
test.

“Feeling
totally
fine
but
won’t
be
able
to
race
today.
Wishing
all
my
fellow
drivers
a
fantastic
end
to
the
season
and
sending
thanks
and
love
to
everyone
for
their
support.”