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OPINION | No, Covid positive drivers shouldn't be allowed to race

OPINION | No, Covid positive drivers shouldn't be allowed to race

24-03-2022 18:11 Last update: 18:19
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Rafael Diaz Lehmann

COVID-19 has held our planet hostage for the past two years and racing drivers around the world are getting tired of it. Sebastian Vettel tested positive with the virus last week in Bahrain, causing Sergio Perez to call for the discussion; 'Should Covid-positive drivers be allowed to race?' While things have been getter better and better every year, one thing hasn't changed. COVID-19 can kill you. 

Last week's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix saw two drivers come down with the COVID-19 virus. Daniel Ricciardo tested positive during the pre-season test the week prior and was lucky to have recovered for the race, but for Sebastian Vettel, he wasn't as fortunate and had to miss the event. After these two cases in the F1 paddock, a discussion from racing drivers around the world has started on whether racing drivers should be allowed to compete with COVID-19. 

Perez's proposition

The first major driver to propose the idea of racing with Covid was Red Bull Racing's Sergio Perez after the news of Ricciardo and Vettel's positive tests came out. 
“Going forward it's something that we should discuss, whether we allow the drivers to race with Covid, if the symptoms are mild,” Perez said. “These days if you're feeling bad, obviously the drivers can be the judge, but I think it makes sense to have a discussion.” 

Perez became the first F1 driver to contract COVID-19 during the 2020 Silverstone Grand Prix, having to move over for Nico Hulkenberg, who deputised for Racing Point for the following two races. Since then a number of Formula One drivers have contracted Covid and had to sit out, including Lance Stroll, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen, and now Sebastian Vettel. 

Drivers in favour

A few drivers have voiced their opinion on social media after a tweet from Motorsport.com asked the question; 'Should #F1 drivers be allowed to race with COVID if they are feeling physically fit?' 

2020 Formula E Champion Antonio Felix Da Costa and F3 driver Juan Manuel Correa said; 

 

The people's reaction

In the replies to Motorsport.com's tweet, the general reaction is a resounding 'NO'. 

 

The risk

While drivers may feel fine racing while Covid-positive, say their symptoms are mild or nonexistant, they must remember that COVID-19 is a highly-transmittable virus that has caused the death of millions of people around the world. Being an F1 driver isn't a solo-job, there are hundreds of people in the paddock, and bringing in a Covid-positive person becomes a massive risk. 

The drivers interact with many people within and outside of their teams; mechanics, media, hospitality, management, who may be, or have friends and family who are, susceptible to the worse effects of the virus. If it wasn't a famous racing driver proposing the idea of being able to bring a deadly virus into the paddock, would their idea be welcomed? F1 drivers must remember that we are all human, and Covid affects us all.