Racing Point confirm Stroll will travel to Portugal, following Covid-19 isolation period

Racing Point Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer has confirmed that Lance Stroll will travel to Portugal for this weekend’s Grand Prix in Portimao, following the Canadian’s shock revelation that he’d contracted Covid-19 following the Eifel GP.

Stroll confirmed via social media on Wednesday morning that he’d returned a positive test upon arrival home from the Nurburgring, where stomach issues had prevented him from racing. He said he’d self-isolated for 10 days but was now “feeling 100%” and “in great shape” having returned a negative test.

READ MORE: Stroll reveals he tested positive for Covid-19 after Eifel GP

Following Stroll’s announcement, Szafnauer was moved to issue a statement clarifying the timeline of events, in which he also revealed that all members of the Racing Point team had tested negative on their return to the UK, and in their pre-Portugal tests.

“As stated by Lance on social media this morning, Racing Point can confirm that he tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday 11th of October,” read the statement. “Lance had left the team bubble in Germany on Saturday 10th October as he was unable to compete due to the effect of a recurring stomach upset.

“Lance had first reported an upset stomach during the Russian Grand Prix week and subsequently tested negative for Covid-19 several times, tests taken in line with both the FIA and Racing Point’s own protocols.

“He also tested negative before arrival in Germany in the official pre-event test for the Eifel Grand Prix. The upset stomach symptoms returned on Saturday which forced Lance to withdraw from the race and stay in his motorhome away from the paddock. He consulted with a doctor who did not believe his symptoms indicated Covid-19 and did not advise a test was necessary. Based on this clinical assessment, at the time there was no requirement to inform the FIA as to the nature of the illness.

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“Lance then flew home to Switzerland on a private plane on Sunday morning. In line with Racing Point’s enhanced testing protocol, under which all team members are tested on return from a Grand Prix, Lance took a Covid-19 test at home and received a positive result the next day. He continued to isolate for ten days from the date of the test, in line with local regulations. He returned a negative test on Monday this week and will travel to the Portuguese Grand Prix.

“All members of the Racing Point team at the Eifel Grand Prix returned to the UK via a private charter flight and all tested negative upon their arrival, and again in their pre-event test for the Portuguese Grand Prix.”

Nico Hulkenberg deputised for Stroll in the Eifel Grand Prix, finishing in eighth place.