Ferrari accept Bahrain Covid vaccination offer

Ferrari has accepted an offer for all personnel attending both pre-season testing and the opening race of the season to receive the Covid-19 vaccination in Bahrain.

Formula 1 had previously stated the sport would "not jump the line" after receiving an offer from the Bahrain International Circuit for personnel to receive the Pfizer Covid vaccine whilst present in the Gulf State.

As a UK-based sport and with eight of the 10 teams at least partially based in the country, F1 declined the offer.

However, GPFans Global has learned that Italian-based manufacturer Ferrari has accepted the Bahraini offer of vaccination. This decision has been made in agreement with the Italian and the Emilia-Romagna Region health authorities.

The jab will not be forced on personnel and the final decision on whether or not to receive the vaccination will rest with the individual.

Through its uptake of the vaccination, Ferrari hopes to demonstrate the importance of the vaccine in defeating coronavirus.

Although F1 had been happy to wait its turn to receive the vaccine through the NHS in the UK, the rollout of a vaccination programme in Italy has been far less smooth and considerably slower.

The latest UK figures indicate 22.8 million people have received at least a first dose whereas, in Italy, this figure is only 5.8m.

Mercedes vaccine decision down to the individual

Reports on Thursday morning suggested Mercedes had joined Ferrari in accepting the vaccine but GPFans Global has learned this is not the case.

Unlike Ferrari, Mercedes is based in the UK and the team has made the decision not to be vaccinated as a travelling group.

However, rather than place a ban on personnel seeking vaccination, the manufacturer will allow each individual to make their own personal choice meaning some may take advantage of the situation whilst others may wait in line in the UK.

The arrangement is said to be the same for a number of UK based teams and Mercedes added it will not comment on which members of personnel have or have not been vaccinated, believing this to be a "private matter".

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