Sergio Perez has been cleared to return to Formula 1 action at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, after missing the back-to-back races at Silverstone due to his positive Covid-19 test.
Perez returned an inconclusive test, followed by a positive test, during the build-up to the British Grand Prix and underwent a period of self-isolation as a result.
He was cleared by government authorities to return for the second event at Silverstone but again returned a positive test and had to sit out the race.
On Thursday morning Racing Point confirmed that Perez has now provided a negative test and he has therefore been approved to return to competition by the FIA, as per its Covid-19 Code of Conduct clause.
Nico Hulkenberg had remained on standby for Racing Point for the upcoming event at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, having competed across the two Silverstone events.
Formula 1 personnel must undertake Covid-19 tests every five days, including one within 96 hours of an event starting, and return a negative test before being permitted entry to the paddock.
Only one positive test – that of Perez – was returned across the back-to-back events at Silverstone.
Racing Point isolated and regularly tested those who had come into close contact with Perez and all involved returned negative tests.
