Australian Grand Prix chief warns Lewis Hamilton and others after Novak Djokovic fiasco

Australian Grand Prix chief warns Lewis Hamilton and others after Novak Djokovic fiasco

Australian Grand Prix

As the start to the 2022 season comes closer, the Australian Grand Prix chief has given a stern warning to drivers including Lewis Hamilton. If drivers are found to have tested positive or have not taken the COVID-19 Vaccination then they will not be allowed to race. The issue regarding unvaccinated athletes has garnered interest after the recent Novak Djokovic issue.

Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton

Following the Novak Djokovic fiasco, the Australian Government and sports authorities have laid down strict rules for athletes. Tennis number 1 had remained unvaccinated against COVID-19, failed to acquire a proper medical exemption required before the Australian Open. The Serbian had his visa revoked upon entry into the country.

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Read what the Australian GP chief warned Lewis Hamilton and other drivers

Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton

Chief executive Andrew Westacott spoke about the rules for the event and said that there won’t be any leeway for anyone. The racers and all staff must be vaccinated. The event will be carried out within the protocols of the state and there won’t be any exemptions for anyone as he gave the example of the 7 time World Champion Lewis Hamilton.

“The rules are simple to get into the country and the rules are simple to operate in Formula One,” Westacott said. “To come into the event you’ll be 100 per cent vaccinated and there won’t be an exemption sought for anyone from anyone.” said the chief of the Australian GP.

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“Our arrangements have been in place well before the recent goings-on at the Australian Open. These rules are understood by Formula One, they’re understood by the FIA, they’re going to be written into the sporting regulations and I’m very confident that (it) is just going to be a rite of passage to come into the country. There’s zero-tolerance. Whether you’re Lewis Hamilton or Valentino Rossi in MotoGP, if you test positive, you don’t race that weekend.” 

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F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali had earlier this month clarified their stance regarding the vaccination. “It is no coincidence that one of the last things approved in the last FIA World Council, as a precaution, is to have all F1 staff vaccinated to be in the paddock.” F1 has urged all participants to be fully vaccinated in order to prevent a spread.

Stefano Domenicali and Lewis Hamilton

“We will have the problem of Covid to manage again next year and it will not be easy. But two years into the pandemic, we have completed some super-intense seasons and it makes us cautiously optimistic for what the start of the 2022 season should be like, where alas Covid may still be present.” 

The Australian GP will be taking place between 8th and 10th April. Albert Park will be hosting a race after a 2-year hiatus. The 2020 GP was cancelled after members from Mclaren had tested positive. The 2021 GP was cancelled after multiple delays.

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