French Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly tests positive for coronavirus

Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly has revealed he has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly has been touted as one of the rising stars of the Formula 1 circuit. Pool via REUTERS - HAMAD I MOHAMMED

The 24-year-old Alpha Tauri said he had informed all recent close contacts.

Gasly, who recently posted pictures on Instagram of his training sessions in Dubai, made the announcement on Twitter.

pic.twitter.com/5iMcpVYpi9

— PIERRE GASLY 🇫🇷 (@PierreGASLY) January 31, 2021

Last year Formula 1 pilots Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll, Lando Norris Charles Leclerc all tested positive for the disease. Lewis Hamilton contracted the illness shortly after securing his record-equalling seventh world title.

The 2020 Formula 1 season was reconfigured due to the pandemic.

The planned opener in Australia was cancelled after a McLaren team member tested positive.

Revamp

The campaign eventually got started in July with teams operating under a strict safety protocol with the paddock closed to all but essential staff.

This season’s first race, scheduled for 21 March in Australia, has been postponed until November after the F1 tour said it could not comply with Australia’s 14-day quarantine rules.

The Grand Prix circuit will instead start on 28 March in Bahrain.

A 23-race schedule is still planned but F1 president, Stefano Domenicali, admitted last week that the pandemic would force the sport to be flexible with its scheduling.