More positive Covid-19 drivers almost inevitable - Sainz

McLaren driver Carlos Sainz has no doubt more Formula 1 drivers will test positive for Covid-19 in the future despite the strict protocols in place.

Racing Point duo Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll have both missed races this season after contracting the virus, while cases are increasing amongst F1 personnel, with several Mercedes team members testing positive at the last race at the Nürburgring.

While F1 and the FIA have introduced new stringent measures from this weekend's race in Portugal, Sainz believes cases in other sports show that no matter how careful drivers are it is “out of their control".

“I wouldn’t be surprised in the future, even though you’ve taken every possible precaution, you can get the virus and you have to miss one or two races," said Sainz.

“We have seen in other sports - football, Tour de France, now the Spanish Vuelta, motorbikes - a lot of athletes are testing positive and I am pretty sure it is not because they are not taking precautions.

“I am pretty sure it is because it is a virus we still don’t understand fully and it depends clearly a lot in luck. We still travel, we still go to hotels, we still have to continue with our lives, and I think at some point, you might get it.”

During the Eifel Grand Prix, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff revealed the movements of drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were highly restricted to such an extent they were “almost living like hermits” to stay as protected as possible.

With all teams limiting driver interactions, from press conferences to debriefs, to virtual solutions such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams, Sainz praised McLaren for its regimented approach to the situation.

“I think everyone’s life has been affected, we’ve all had to take measures and F1 drivers are just another example of how life has changed over the last few months," added Sainz.

“I think our team is doing an excellent job, doing an incredible amount of tests, keeping us separated in sub-groups, and I am very proud of how McLaren is reacting and how much we change things to keep everyone as safe as possible.

“At the same time, it is my personal opinion that you might be doing everything you can to avoid the virus and you might end up getting it because it is sometimes, I guess, due to life and nothing in your control.“

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