On the same weekend that he announced his retirement at the end of this season, Kimi Räikkönen tested positive for COVID-19, thus forcing the team that recently took over Valtteri Bottas’ services to seek a replacement.
Despite the fact that Formula 1 has more than a year living with the pandemic caused by the Coronavirus, drivers and managers of the ten teams that make up the grid of the premier category of motorsport continue to test positive periodically, something that forces them to move aside for a few days and leave the competition.
Zak Brown was the last team leader who, after testing positive for COVID-19 in July, urged the leaders of the ‘Great Circus’ to don’t let your guard down Faced with this health setback, something similar to what happened with Lando Norris when the British had to suffer the disease in January of this year.
«Alfa Romeo confirms that the driver reserves, Robert Kubica, will replace Kimi Räikkönen this weekend with the occasion of the Italian Grand Prix»Reads the statement issued by the Hinwil formation. “Kimi missed last week’s race at Zandvoort after testing positive for COVID-19 and has not yet been cleared to compete again. In accordance with the requirements of the health authorities, he remains in isolation at home.
Since Abu Dhabi 2019, Kubica has not been in a Formula 1 car in official competition, so his last-minute replacement at Zandvoort was a fleeting adaptation. «Robert, who put on an admirable performance in the Netherlands after getting into the car on short notice before Free Practice 3, he will return to the car with Antonio Giovinazzi ”, concludes the communication from Frédéric Vasseur’s team.