Lewis Hamilton will be back for the 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, testing negative for COVID-19 after contracting the virus in Bahrain and was forced to miss out on last Sunday’s Sakhir Grand Prix.
The seven-time F1 World Champion will return to the cockpit he temporarily gave up to George Russell who earned the reputation as super-sub for his sensational efforts in the cockpit of the W11 last weekend.
He now returns to the back of the field Williams team having left his mark in the little time he had in the car.
For Lewis, he will return to end an outstanding season in style. A year in which he was peerless in the mighty Mercedes and virtually unchallenged, even by teammate Valtteri Bottas in the sister car. The stats show that the #44 car crossed the finish line first on 11 occasions, the $77 car only twice. It was a hammering.
AP report that governing body FIA confirmed that Hamilton was free to leave Bahrain according to the health authority regulations in place.
There are two practice sessions in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Hamilton has won the Abu Dhabi GP a record five times, including the past two years.
He has an insurmountable lead over Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, who can still be overtaken for second place by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Mercedes Statement:
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Fl Team is pleased to confirm that Lewis Hamilton will drive for the team in this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Lewis tested negative for COVID-19 on Wednesday prior to completion of his self-isolation period in Bahrain. This enabled him to travel to Abu Dhabi on Thursday afternoon, and he tested negative on arrival.
Lewis has therefore completed the protocols required by the FIA for his entry to the paddock tomorrow and will be able to take part in the race weekend.
George Russell will return to Williams Racing for the final event of the 2020 season.
👊 @LewisHamilton #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/cOhm2wd0z0
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) December 10, 2020