Audio By Carbonatix
World champion Lewis Hamilton will miss this weekend's Formula 1 Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain after testing positive for coronavirus.
His team, Mercedes, said the Briton woke with mild symptoms on Monday and returned a positive result at a subsequent test and again at a retest.
Hamilton, who is now self-isolating, won the Bahrain Grand Prix at the same circuit on Sunday.
Mercedes say a replacement will be named in due course.
"Apart from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fit and well and the entire team sends him our very best wishes for a swift recovery," a statement said.
Hamilton, 35, clinched his record-equalling seventh world title at the Turkish Grand Prix on 15 November.
Sunday's race will be the first Hamilton has missed since his F1 debut at the 2007 season-opening race in Australia.
He must return a negative test before returning to the paddock and therefore is a doubt for the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi on 13 December.
Mercedes said Hamilton was tested three times last week, including on Sunday at the Bahrain International Circuit, and returned a negative result on each occasion.
However, as well as waking with mild symptoms on Monday, he was also informed that a contact "prior to arrival in Bahrain" had tested positive.
Hamilton is the third F1 driver to test positive for coronavirus this season following Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll.
Mercedes have not said who will replace him but Belgian reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne - the former McLaren F1 driver - will travel to Bahrain as planned after Tuesday's Formula E test in Valencia.
Latest Stories
-
Arhinful calls for patience and support for Ayew ahead of World Cup
2 minutes -
Zanetor Rawlings elected 2nd Vice President of Pan-African Parliament
7 minutes -
GIFEC disburses 350 laptops for One Million Coders Program in Upper West Region
19 minutes -
2025 BoG GH¢15.7bn loss was a peak, future results expected to improve – Atta Issah
24 minutes -
Photos: How fire destroyed everything in the Akosombo GRIDCo Substation control room
30 minutes -
Embrace skills training for successful reintegration – YEA HR Director urges inmates
37 minutes -
BoG’s GH₵15bn loss does not affect monetary policy – Majority
42 minutes -
Minority accuses Majority of attempting to “shift public perception” ahead of BoG’s GH¢15bn publication
48 minutes -
Kick Nation secures Ipswich Town trial for Ghanaian youngster Philip Frimpong
52 minutes -
MTN Ghana hosts first Digital Music Conference to tackle artistes revenue challenges
59 minutes -
Ghana heads to Rabat for African Open Government Conference
1 hour -
Ghana tilting towards the abyss while waiting for doomsday
2 hours -
Pragya and tipper truck head-on collision claims teacher’s life at Asante Mampong
2 hours -
10 illegal miners remanded into prison custody for mining under ECG high-tension poles
2 hours -
Bank of Ghana expected to post GH¢15.6bn loss for 2025 financial year
3 hours