Formula 1 will not request any vaccine exemptions in 2022, says spokesperson

A spokesperson for Formula One has confirmed Covid-19 vaccination will be mandatory at all races this year, while the FIA will not request any vaccine exemptions.

Double vaccination has been a requirement for F1 drivers since the US Grand Prix in 2021. Still, the regulations pertaining to vaccination have now been expanded to include all teams, media, guests and hospitality workers at F1 race events.

A spokesperson for F1 told BBC Sport: "F1 (FOM) will require all travelling personnel to be fully vaxxed and will not request exemptions."READ | SA's F1 medical driver Alan van der Merwe could lose his job over vaccine stance - report

The F1 race calendar has been expanded to 23 races in 2022, and the newly implemented vaccine policy could lead to the relaxation of related Covid restrictions within F1.

The FIA has utilised a 'bubble' system over the last two seasons in a bid to minimise the threat and the spread of Covid-19.

However, the FIA has yet to confirm whether the new policy vaccine will, in fact, see the 'bubble' system fall away in 2022.

In October 2021, South African born F1 medical car driver Alan van der Merwe had missed the Turkish Grand Prix due to a second Covid-19 infection. He then missed several more races when he decided to forgo vaccination. 

READ | No 'unvaccinated' F1 drivers can race in Melbourne in 2022, including SA's Alan van der Merwe

Van der Merwe said in a post on social media last year: "Vaccines are showing to be safe and effective for the vast majority of people. But what if you're not in the majority?" he asked. "Do you automatically need to be excluded from society?

"Should some people's health be sacrificed for the greater good of a vaccine rollout?"

Van der Merwe said he is "fully aware" that his