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Mercedes reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne says the team informed him of Lewis Hamilton’s positive COVID-19 test and now he is playing the waiting game.
The Formula 1 world was in for a shock this morning when news came out that Lewis Hamilton will miss the Sakhir Grand Prix due to testing positive for COVID-19. His seat immediately became the most sought after seat in Formula 1.
The obvious choice for the drive is Mercedes’ reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne, who has competed in the series as recently as 2018, with McLaren. The Belgian driver is currently performing Formula E testing for Mercedes in Valencia, but is scheduled to be in Bahrain this weekend.
“I don’t know what is going to happen, [but] I know there is a chance for me to drive,” said Vandoorne after testing.
“But let’s wait and see. I’m travelling tomorrow and I’ll find out.”
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The Belgian confirms he was one of the first people to find out about Lewis’ situation.
“I got a first message this morning around seven. The team told me that Lewis tested positive and they were going to announce an hour later. But afterwards it’s just been kind of waiting.
“To be honest I’ve not been able to think about it that much because I’ve been focusing on my Formula E test here. That’s been the priority of the day.
“I know I’m travelling out anyway to Bahrain tomorrow so let’s wait and see,” concluded Vandoorne.
Earlier today Vandoorne joked about the situation on Twitter:
Just stretching, what’s going on?! pic.twitter.com/bILrJcaf68
— Stoffel Vandoorne (@svandoorne) December 1, 2020
