Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that Lewis Hamilton is “not great” as he self-isolates after contracting Covid-19 earlier this week.
Hamilton is missing the inaugural Sakhir Grand Prix following a positive test returned less than 24 hours after his Bahrain Grand Prix victory.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 at the conclusion of FP1 at the Bahrain International Circuit, Wolff said Hamilton was struggling to cope with his first missed weekend since he entered the championship at the Australian Grand Prix in 2007.
“He is not great,” he said. “Covid-19 is something you mustn’t take lightly and he is in safe hands, that is the most important.
“But it is those early days that are always not so nice. Mild symptoms and then obviously, as you can imagine, a race driver out of his car and combine it with Covid, he would rather sit in there [nodding towards the team garage].”
Hamilton must undertake 10 days of self-isolation which, backtracking to his test results last Monday, would take the world champion up to the day before practice for the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
It is as yet unknown whether Hamilton will return for the race at Yas Marina. If he is forced to sit out the race, it would provide George Russell with a second opportunity to prove himself against Valtteri Bottas.
