McLaren F1 team member recovers from coronavirus

McLaren has confirmed that its team member who contracted coronavirus at the Australian Grand Prix no longer has symptoms and is recovering well.

A member of the team’s crew tested positive for COVID-19 in Melbourne on Thursday ahead of the planned season-opening Australian Grand Prix, resulting in McLaren withdrawing from the event.

McLaren F1 team member recovers from coronavirus

McLaren has confirmed that its team member who contracted coronavirus at the Australian Grand Prix no longer has symptoms and is recovering well.

A member of the team’s crew tested positive for COVID-19 in Melbourne on Thursday ahead of the planned season-opening Australian Grand Prix, resulting in McLaren withdrawing from the event.

The race was ultimately called off amid the outbreak of the flu-like virus in the F1 paddock, with McLaren placing 14 members of its team into a 14-day quarantine period as a precautionary measure.

“I’m proud of how the whole team, both in Australia and back at base, handled the situation in a moment of real pressure and concern for their colleagues,” McLaren CEO Zak Brown said.

“The focus, calmness and professionalism was outstanding across the team. We had leaders stepping up everywhere and that is testament to our people.

“We had been continually scenario-planning together with the team back in the UK, so we knew what our options were in the event of various outcomes.

“Andreas [Seidl] and I already agreed that if we had a positive case in the garage there was only one option.

"As I said before, as a racer it was the hardest decision I’ve had to take but as CEO it was the easiest. Our people come first and Andreas feels very strongly about this too.

“When the news came through on Thursday evening Andreas and I were at dinner with one of our shareholders.

“We immediately returned to the team hotel to join our race team leadership and while Andreas focused on leading the team, I focused on our board and shareholders, who were absolutely supportive I must say, while informing the other teams, F1 and the FIA.

“I’m happy to report that our team member affected with the virus is recovering well and the symptoms have gone and our people in quarantine are in good spirits.

“The support they have been getting from their team-mates, our partners, members of the F1 community and fans from around the world has been fantastic and our thanks go out to all of them.”

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