Sergio Perez, one of the first drivers to test positive for COVID, believes drivers having contracted the virus should still be allowed to race.

The Mexican, who missed both Silverstone races in 2020 whilst with Racing Point, made the claim as Sebastian Vettel was ruled out of this weekend's season opener in Bahrain after testing positive.

"Going forward it's something that we should discuss," he said, "whether we allow the drivers to race with COVID, if the symptoms are mild.

"These days if you're feeling bad, obviously the drivers can be the judge, but I think it makes sense to have a discussion," he added.

"There's so much we've learned with COVID now and there is only so much you can do. If you want to look after yourself completely, you have to stay at home for 24 hours and cook for yourself and do everything on your own.

"But there is only so much you can do, so I think it's just luck dependent. It is difficult to not do anything. I'm just very sorry for Seb and for Daniel, but it can happen to anyone."

The Mexican admits that he is testing regularly, even though this is not mandated by th4 sport's authorities as it was in 2020 and 2021.

"Yes. At the same time, you have to look after the people around you and to make sure that don't you don't affect anyone around you," he said.

However, Carlos Sainz is hoping to see the sport return to normality.

"I'm not going to lie, it is tiring and it is tough for two years to still do the same things," said the Spaniard. "Some things I got used to it, some things I still struggle with, like to wear the mask at all times.

"I just hope we can get back to normality as soon as possible," he admitted, "because, it might be a bit controversial, but I think that we need to kind of move on a bit and get on with life.

"It's unfortunate for the other drivers and it could be me at some point, but it's really tough to stay as disciplined as we've been.

"Obviously if I have the chance to fight for bigger things this year, I will need to be but I am in two minds. At the same time I want everyone to move on and to stop thinking about COVID. I'm in two minds, I'm 50-50."

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1. Posted by ChickenFarmerF1, 18/03/2022 17:18

"@kenji - people did die from the common cold (which is caused mostly by - gasp - coronaviruses). It would sometimes become pneumonia. Not as often as with covid-19, but with all the treatments available now, rates have started towards convergence. Among the strong and otherwise healthy (which describes the vast majority of F1 race team personnel) those rates probably have nearly converged. And while influenza killed at lower rates than the original covid variants, the latest variants are less deadly (as viruses do) and now quite comparable to the flu in terms of mortality rates. No reason to maintain the hysteria. We can't eliminate covid, so I fully stand by my previous statement that it is long past time to treat it as endemic rather than pandemic. With vaccines, natural immunity, and effective treatments, and the typical trend of viruses to become less deadly over time, the risks of covid-19 no longer justifies maintaining the restrictions of the past 2 years.

There is no good reason for Vettle to miss the Bahrain race, unless he would be too unwell to race regardless if the illness is covid or the common cold or anything else. Pre-covid plenty of drivers have withdrawn from races due to illness, because the illness impacted their ability to perform in the car. A positive covid test with mild or no symptoms by qualifying should not force a driver to withdraw. If they wish to withdraw, fine, that's their decision.

Last I'm going to say on the topic. Let's get to racing!"

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2. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 18/03/2022 13:44

"Just like in professional cycling; the peloton are not wearing masks, racing for 4-5 hours and then need to wear a mask on the podium. Enough with all the covid BS.

We have vaccines, natural immunity, and treatments. Time for rational minds to take back control."

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3. Posted by kenji, 18/03/2022 10:44

"@ Chickenfarmer...very rarely do people who contract a common cold die from that affliction or need to be intubated. "

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4. Posted by Defiant, 18/03/2022 0:47

"I support Sergio and the previous commenters 100%"

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5. Posted by elsiebc, 18/03/2022 0:37

"I agree with the prior two posts and I'll add stop pretending that the masks do anything."

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6. Posted by ChickenFarmerF1, 17/03/2022 21:17

"It's long past time to treat covid as endemic rather than pandemic. Treat it no different now than the common cold or influenza."

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7. Posted by Simon in Adelaide, 17/03/2022 21:02

"I’m with Sergio, this Covid hysteria has to end."

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Drivers with COVID should be allowed to race, says Perez

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