Breaking news
Formula 1
Hamilton "on the right track" for F1 return, says Wolff
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff thinks Lewis Hamilton is "on the right track" to return to Formula 1 in Abu Dhabi, but confesses he is in a "pretty ugly" situation.
Jonathan Noble Christian Nimmervoll
Edited: Dec 7, 2020, 5:03 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Ever since his positive coronavirus test on the Monday after the Bahrain Grand Prix, Hamilton has hidden from the public spotlight and little has been revealed about his condition.
As part of Bahrain's coronavirus protocols, he has to stay in self isolation for at least 10 days in the Kingdom before he will be allowed to travel to Abu Dhabi.
Although Hamilton has said nothing about his progress, his team boss Wolff has offered some insight into what the world champion is going through, as he suggests he is not having a great time being trapped in his hotel.
"It's pretty ugly what he has gotten into," said Wolff during a media event hosted by Sky Germany.
"And if you're not at home, but lying in your hotel room, it's naturally unpleasant."
Read Also:
- Hamilton in race to be fit for Abu Dhabi GP
- Wolff: Hamilton, Russell in same team could be "wild ride"
- Hamilton "not feeling great" with mild COVID-19 symptoms
- Explained: F1's Abu Dhabi 'biosphere' lockdown plans
Hamilton will need to pass negative tests in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi before having any hope of being able to return to the F1 paddock, but Wolff is optimistic that there is still time for that to happen.
"I think he is on the right track," added Wolff. "If the doctors' prognosis is correct, he could manage to deliver a negative test on Thursday or Friday."
The imposition of strict coronavirus restrictions in Abu Dhabi this weekend, with the whole of F1 being put into a biosphere lockdown, makes the logistics of Hamilton travelling there much harder.
While a 10-day quarantine in Bahrain and a further 48-hour period of isolation in Abu Dhabi would make it difficult for Hamilton to make first practice, it is not impossible he could be fast tracked for government clearance if he is shown to be negative.
Wolff said that it was clear that Hamilton was far from happy about his situation, having been trapped well away from home.
"If an upcoming young driver is sitting in your car, with which you won the world championship, then of course these are all factors that do not contribute to you jumping through your hotel room with a sky-high cheer," he added.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Ten things we learned from the Sakhir GP
Next article Perez: My fate shows that F1 doesn't have the best drivers
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Dec 28, 2024
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Lewis Hamilton
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Formula 1
Formula 1 18 h
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 d
Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"
Latest news
Carson Hocevar and Cleetus McFarland win LeMullets 2026
General
Misc General
Carson Hocevar and Cleetus McFarland win LeMullets 2026
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
6 h
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Homestead
7 h
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe