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Manama (AP) - Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton (35) has tested positive for the corona virus and is therefore out of the upcoming race on Sunday in Bahrain.
His Mercedes racing team announced this on Tuesday and said: "Apart from slight symptoms, he is fine and feels fit."
Hamilton was tested three times in the past week - the results were negative each time.
The last time he was tested was on Sunday afternoon.
On Monday morning, however, Hamilton woke up with mild symptoms.
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At the same time, the seven-time world champion was informed that “a contact person with whom he was in contact before arriving in Bahrain was subsequently tested positive,” said Mercedes.
The test carried out at Hamilton was positive, and another confirmed the result.
Hamilton had won the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday.
It is unclear whether he will be able to start the final of the Corona emergency season in Abu Dhabi in a week and a half.
It has not yet been decided who will replace him in the second Bahrain race within eight days of the Silver Arrows.
Mercedes has not yet announced a decision on the representative for the world champion.
"We will announce our plans for a replacement driver for the upcoming weekend in the further course", announced the racing team.
Substitute Mercedes drivers are Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne (28) and Esteban Gutiérrez (29) from Mexico.
According to Mercedes, Vandoorne will contest a Formula E test in Valencia on Tuesday and will then travel to Bahrain, as was previously planned.
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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201201-99-526065 / 3
Mercedes team