Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer says he’s “99% sure” Sergio Perez will return for the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend.
The Mexican has missed the past two races at Silverstone after testing positive for Covid-19 following a trip home after the Hungarian GP.
In that time, Nico Hulkenberg has performed admirably as his replacement, qualifying third last Saturday before slipping back to seventh in the race following a late pit-stop.
But speaking on Sunday, Racing Point does believe they will have their original driver pairing back on the grid in Barcelona.
“He was tested yesterday and it seems like the amount of virus in his system is coming down significantly,” Szafnauer was quoted by RaceFans.
“He was tested again today and we should have those results tomorrow. I anticipate, whether we get a result tomorrow or early next week, he will be in the negative range.
Also Read:
- Perez asymptomatic for Covid-19, insists he followed FIA protocol with Mexico trip
- Hulkenberg confirms some conversations over a 2021 F1 return
“I think by the time we get to Barcelona he’ll be back in the car – but I’m trying to guess the future, so if that doesn’t happen, don’t crucify me!
“But I was 99% sure that Nico [Hulkenberg] would be in the car for both Silverstone races and now I’m 99% sure that Checo will be in the car for Spain.”
There was a time last Thursday, however, before another positive test, when Racing Point was pushing to get Perez back in the car for last weekend, after successfully arguing he was first diagnosed when the guidance said seven days of isolation and not the current required 10.
“We consulted a lot of experts, including a lab that we use for all of our staff at Silverstone, consulted with the Eurofins experts as well,” Szafnauer said.
“You’ve got to remember this coronavirus is a novel virus, which means people don’t know much about it, and the experts gave us such a big range of when Checo would pass negative that it was worthwhile doing.
“They gave us a range of one week to four to five weeks. They said any time in that range he could test negative.
“It was all dependent on when he was first infected, which nobody could predict, so it made sense for us to try to get our contracted normal driver in as opposed to a stand-in.
“I think we did absolutely the right thing to continue to test him to see what was going to happen.”
The American though did admit the loss of Perez for the past two races has been a bit of a blow.
“It’s not ideal,” he added. “Checo knows this car well, knows our team well, he’s a great racer and qualifier.
“We did the best we could with calling up Nico, who we know well and he knows us well, but it’s still not the same as having your regular driver in.
“But it’s the times we live in, he tested positive for the virus, we have to take the precautions which are set out in the Covid-19 Code of conduct and that’s exactly what we’re doing, and also adhering to the guidelines of Public Health England.”