Racing Point Explain Why They Kept Lance Stroll’s Condition a Secret From the FIA

Recently, the Racing Point driver, Lance Stroll, revealed that he tested positive for COVID-19 during the race weekend at Nurburgring. This raised multiple questions over whether the team followed the FIA protocols for Stroll.

Now Racing Point have revealed the timeline of their weekend in Germany and insisted that they have followed the FIA protocols in Stroll’s case through a statement released by Otmar Szafnauer.

“As stated by Lance on social media this morning, Racing Point can confirm that he tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, October 11,” Otmar said.

“Lance had reported an upset stomach during the Russian Grand Prix week and subsequently tested negative for COVID-19 several times, tests taken in line with both the FIA and Racing Point’s own protocols.

“He also tested negative before the arrival in Germany in the official pre-event test for the Eifel Grand Prix. The upset stomach symptoms returned on Saturday, which forced Lance to withdraw from the race and stay in Motorhome away from the paddock,” Otmar said.

Early on Sunday morning, he had left for his home before the race had even started at Nurburgring. He took a test later on the same day, which returned with the result as positive.

The doctor assumed it was not COVID-19 for Lance Stroll, Racing Point reveals

Otmar mentioned that Stroll had consulted with a doctor who denied the possibility of COVID-19 considering the symptoms he had. “He consulted with a doctor who did not believe his symptoms indicated COVID-19 and did not advise a test was necessary,” he said.

“Based on this clinical assessment, at that time there was no requirement to inform the FIA as to the nature of the illness.

“Lance then flew home to Switzerland on a private plane on Sunday morning. In line with Racing Point’s enhanced testing protocol, under which all team members are tested on return from a Grand Prix, Lance took a COVID-19 test at home and received a positive result the next day.

“He continued to isolate for ten days from the date of the test, in line with local regulations. He returned a negative test on Monday this week and will travel to the Portuguese Grand Prix,” Otmar clarified.

Now, Stroll will be returning to the race weekend in Portugal and will be looking to retrieve the points he had lost over the Eifel Grand Prix.