Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren’s F1 team driver, tests positive for Covid-19 and misses the final day of testing in Bahrain

McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday, after feeling unwell since Wednesday. The Australian is now required to isolate until next Friday, the day before qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix and the first race of the 2022 F1 season. Ad/> McLaren Racing confirmed Ricciardo’s positive PCR test in a statement on Friday evening, adding that their driver is already beginning to feel better and wishing him well for a quick recovery.

Formula 1F1 2022: New drivers, rule changes and race schedule20 HOURS AGO The 32-year-old said in a Tweet: “Unfortunate to miss the test, but I’m starting to feel better. I’ll stay isolated and just focus on next weekend. “Big thanks to Lando & McLaren for the heavy lifting, I owe you some beers (milk for Lando).

Appreciate the well wishes from everyone.” /> Prior to testing positive for coronavirus, Ricciardo had missed both the first and second day of testing in Bahrain. The team had hoped that he would be able to eek some laps out of the testing sessions which make up the final chance for the drivers to get up to speed with their cars on track. The team confirmed that Lando Norris will remain in the MCL36 car for the final day of the official pre-season test.

Not only are the team in a race against time to have their lead driver healthy and ready to compete, they also have the added pressure of trying to solve their ongoing brake issues. After an encouraging week in the first pre-season test in Barcelona, McLaren have suffered in the heat of Sakhir with overheating brakes. It has meant that Norris has been restricted in the number of laps he has been able to lay down on the track.