Brendan Lines 31st Jul, 2020 08:00am

Racing Point driver Sergio Perez has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not take part in this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

30-year old Mexican, Perez, is the first F1 driver to test positive for the virus.

Motorsport governing body the FIA and Formula 1 confirmed that between Friday 17th July and Thursday 23rd July, 1,461 COVID-19 tests were conducted with no positive cases.

A statement from Racing Point released last night read:

“Sergio is physically well and in good spirits, but he will continue to self-isolate under the guidelines of the relevant public health authorities, with safety the ultimate priority for the team and the sport.

The entire team wishes Sergio well and looks forward to welcoming him back into the cockpit of the RP20 soon.

Our intention is to race two cars on Sunday. We will communicate the next steps for our British Grand Prix weekend in due course.”

As part of Racing Point’s engine supply deal with Mercedes, the team has access to Mercedes Formula E and F1 reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne and Esteban Gutierez.

Nico Hulkenberg has also been linked as a replacement after he drove for the team under its Force India guise.

Racing Point have not yet named its replacement, however F1 Race director Michael Masi said the FIA ‘would approve such a change in the circumstances,’ once the team makes its request to the FIA.

FP1 for the British Grand Prix starts 07:30pm local time tonight.