The McLaren team confirmed that Daniel Ricciardo tested positive for COVID-19 in a test carried out on Friday afternoon in Bahrain. The Australian driver did not participate in any of the first two days of testing, and will not be on the final day at Sakhir either.
The British team warned at the beginning of the winter tests that Ricciardo felt unwilling to get into the MCL36 , so Lando Norris took the controls of the car on the first and second day.
However, on Friday afternoon, the team announced through a statement that its driver had tested positive for COVID-19.
“According to these regulations, Daniel will be discharged in time for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix next weekend. Daniel is already beginning to feel better and we wish him a speedy recovery,” McLaren explained in the note he provided. to the press.
“We can confirm that Lando Norris will be behind the wheel of the MCL36 tomorrow on the final day of the official F1 pre-season test in Bahrain,” the Woking-based team said.
Ricciardo , who faces his second term with McLaren , will arrive at the start of the campaign with fewer tests than the rest of his fellow members of the grid, a course in which he hopes to regain sensations and return to being what he was at Red Bull, a team with who got podiums on a regular basis and the occasional victory.
The Australian closed last season by rising to the top in the Italian Grand Prix, but finished behind his teammate, Lando Norris, who will be in charge of collecting as much information as possible after this misfortune for the papaya team in the final day of testing in Bahrain, just one week before the start of the 2022 season.
On his social networks he encouraged his followers, explaining that he was fine despite having tested positive: “Better this week than next… Unfortunately, I miss the tests, but I’m starting to feel better.”
“I will keep myself isolated, and I will focus on the next weekend. Thank you very much to Lando [Norris] and McLaren for the hard work, I owe you some beers (milk for Lando). I appreciate everyone’s well wishes, “he said.
