Earlier, F2 driver and Renault junior, Christian Lundgaard was quarantined. Apparently, his hotel reported a coronavirus case and the authoritied locked down the building. However, Lundgaard is not the only one. Apparently, the Renault Academy director, and two drivers have also been quarantined.
The Renault Sport team confirmed on Twitter that director Mia Sharizman and drivers Caio Collet and Hadrien David fall under the quarantine. To make matters worse, Collet is expected to race in Formula Renault Eurocup and Toyota Racing Series.
Meanwhile 16-year old Hadrien David is also being held. All four people were staying in the Tenerife hotel and attending a Renault camp and undergoing winter training. Unfortunately, a guest at their hotel was diagnosed with the Coronavirus.
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The manufacturer said on Twitter, “Local health authorities have conducted checks & none are demonstrating any sign of the virus. Everyone is fit & continuing training within the hotel facilities. They would like to express their gratitude to the hotel for its support to make them feel as comfortable as possible.”
Lundgaard himself, was supposed to debut in F2 with ART Grand Prix this season. Sadly, the quarantine means that he missed the pre-season test in Bahrain. Luckily, ART had a backup plan, in the form of Sergey Sirotkin, who has worked with ART before he moved to F1.
Renault Sport Racing confirms that Mia Sharizman, #RenaultSportAcademy Director, and 3 RSA members @lundgaardoff, @caio_collet, @HadrienDavid, are held in Tenerife, where they were conducting winter training, after a guest at their hotel was identified as having the Coronavirus.
— Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) March 2, 2020
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What next for the Renault Academy personnel?
Last year, Lundgaard contested in the Formula 3 championship with ART and score a maiden F3 win in Hungaroring. Prior to that, he won the rookie of the year title in Formula Renault. His move up to Formula 2 is his big break. This is because F2 is one rung below Formula One.
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Collet and David’s respective racing seasons will also be affected. David is expected to compete in the Formula Renault Eurocup. Sadly, his participation may be delayed until the quarantine is lifted. The good news is that none of the Renault personnel have been infected, but the health authories are not willing to take any chances.
FHopefully for their sake, they are able to travel soon and get their racing seasons started. In Sharizman’s case, she will be aiming to get back to the Academy.
