COVID-19: Alfa Romeo driver Raikkonen out of Dutch Grand Prix after testing positive

Dubai: Kimi Raikkonen has tested positive for COVID-19 and the Alfa Romeo driver will miss tomorrow’s Dutch Grand Prix.

The 41-year-old Finn will be replaced by reserve driver Robert Kubica. Raikkonen announced he will retire from Formula One at the end of the season.

Alfa Romeo said: “Kimi is displaying no symptoms and is in good spirits. He has immediately entered isolation.”

Kubica last raced at the end of the 2019 season for Williams but has tested for Alfa a number of times this year.

COVID-19 protocols

F1's governing body the FIA has strict COVID-19 protocols which require the immediate isolation and then retesting of anyone designated a close contact of someone who has a positive test result.

In a statement, Alfa Romeo said that "all close contacts have been sorted according to the FIA protocols". It added, "Kimi is displaying no symptoms and is in good spirits. He has immediately entered isolation".

Williams chief executive officer and team principle Jost Capito had dinner with Raikkonen on Friday night and, as a close contact, is now isolating in his hotel room.