The employee who tested positive for Coronavirus in Australia is no longer showing any symptoms, McLaren has revealed.
The team member first showed signs linked to the Covid-19 illness last Wednesday and was put into self-isolation before later being confirmed as suffering from the virus.
Since then, a further 14 people who came into contact with the team member have also gone into a 14-day quarantine in Melbourne per the guidelines of local health authorities.
“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,” said McLaren CEO Zak Brown in a statement on Monday.
“The focus, calmness and professionalism was outstanding across the team. We had leaders stepping up everywhere and that is a testament to our people.”
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The positive case immediately led to McLaren’s withdrawal from the Grand Prix weekend before the whole event was later cancelled on Friday morning.
And Brown revealed such drastic action was the only response.
“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,” the American explained.
“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,” he added, switching back to those still in Melbourne.
“The support they have been getting from their teammates, 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.”
It was also revealed McLaren received help from other teams at Albert Park to pack away ahead of their return to the UK.
And as F1 team boss Seidl noted: “This is the spirit of F1 and racing we all embrace.”