September 04, (THEWILL) – Not so long after announcing retirement plans at the season’s end, Kimi Raikkonen, the former world champion and race driver for Alfa Romeo, is set to miss the Dutch Grand Prix after testing positive for the coronavirus. His seat will go to Robert Kubica, the polish driver who will be in his first Grand Prix start since 2019.
This became known before the third free practice session on Saturday morning as his racing team, Alfa Romeo, confirmed that Raikkonen had tested positive and will miss the weekend at Zandvoort, Netherlands.
It presents Kubica the opportunity to return to the circuit. THEWILL recalls that the Pole endured a horror-crash in 2011 at the Ronde di Andora rally, in which his right forearm was partially severed. But, he battled to make a full return to the driver’s seat and drove full-time for Williams in 2019.
As THEWILL reported, the 41-year-old Raikkonen confirmed on Wednesday that this would be his last season in Formula 1 and he would step away at the end of the year when he would have further extended the record for most F1 starts, which he currently holds.
In the official statement from Alfa Romeo, Raikkonen was said to be “displaying no symptoms and is in good spirits,” adding that he was isolating in his hotel but was not going to join the race.
An official statement was also released by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the racing world governing body, and F1 on the news of Raikkonen’s positive test. It read: “The FIA, Formula 1 and Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN can today confirm that during onsite PCR testing for the 2021 FIA Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix, Kimi Räikkönen has tested positive for COVID-19.
“In accordance with COVID-19 protocols he will take no further part in this Event. All contacts have been declared. The procedures set out by the FIA and Formula 1 will ensure no wider impact on the Dutch Grand Prix.”
It is possible that Raikkonen will return to compete at Monza next weekend but it will be contingent on him returning a negative test. No information was given about the 41-year-old’s vaccination status even though the Dutch government reportedly required proof of full vaccination status to enter the country. The assumption will be that he is fully vaccinated since he was allowed in.
As in the case of the boxer Oscar De La Hoya, who tested positive after receiving the double jabs of the vaccine at THEWILL reported, this is another instance and could be telling for other sportsmen and women who have had the two doses for them to be aware of the possibility of still testing positive.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
