Spanish Grand Prix: Sergio Perez cleared to make F1 return after testing negative for coronavirus

Sergio Perez will make his Formula One return at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix after missing the last two races following a positive coronavirus test.

The Mexican driver missed both races at Silverstone after he contracted Covid-19 in between the Hungarian Grand Prix and the British Grand Prix, having travelled home to Mexico after his mother was involved in an accident.

With Perez forced to quarantine for seven days, he was replaced by Nico Hulkenberg for both races in Britain, with the German securing an eighth place finish last time out in the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix.

But the 30-year-old has been cleared to return in Barcelona after the result of his latest coronavirus test came back negative, meaning that he can once again be granted access to the F1 paddock.

Racing Point confirmed the news on Thursday, ahead of Friday’s opening day of practice for the Spanish Grand Prix.

“CONFIRMED: We're pleased to share the news that Sergio Perez has tested negative for Covid-19,” the team said.

“The FIA have confirmed that Checo can return to the F1 paddock and he will compete for the team in this weekend’s Spanish GP.”

Barcelona’s Catalunya circuit hosts the sixth round of the season, with the race going ahead as scheduled despite Spain’s daily coronavirus cases increasing in number over the last week, which resulted in Britain placing it on it’s quarantine list.

However, as F1 is classified as an elite sport by the British government, all teams and F1 personnel can travel back to the UK after this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix without having to enter quarantine as they have been granted an exemption due to the strict testing and isolation measures that are already in place.

However, this ruling does not apply to British media who are attending the Grand Prix.