---
title: "Formula 1 Driver Sergio Perez Tests Positive for COVID-19"
description: "Formula 1 has done its best to insulate itself from coronavirus, but its best hasn’t been enough."
date: "2020-07-30"
modified: "2020-07-30"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/35230/inconclusive-covid-19-test-forces-f1s-sergio-perez-into-quarantine"
categories:
  - "F1"
  - "News"
  - "Racing"
---

# Formula 1 Driver Sergio Perez Tests Positive for COVID-19

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/07/5f15b114504db04b8aa655db_02_130453CM5_0363_2020070920523473.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

To safely start up its 2020 race season, [Formula 1 pledged to regularly test every single person in the paddock for COVID-19](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/33305/formula-1-will-check-teams-for-coronavirus-every-two-days-to-start-2020-season>). So far, F1 has been keen to brag about the number of negative results it has received, though its first positive test result since March has turned up from Racing Point's [Sergio Perez](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/34841/sebastian-vettel-rumored-to-replace-sergio-perez-at-aston-martin-f1-in-2021>).

***Update 07/30/2020 at 4 p.m. ET:** A positive test result has since been matched to Perez after an initial test was returned as "inconclusive."*

https://twitter.com/_/status/1288915685419163648

Perez was reportedly absent from Thursday's FIA press conference, where he was scheduled to appear alongside teammate [Lance Stroll](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32597/f1-driver-lance-strolls-father-takes-an-even-bigger-aston-martin-stake-amid-coronavirus-rout>). A team spokesperson confirmed Perez had retreated into isolation following the result, and that other members who had been in contact with him were also self-quarantining.

"Checo is not at the circuit today following an inconclusive test result. He is self-isolating awaiting the results of a retest," the spokesperson told *[Autosport](<https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/150925/perez-awaiting-covid-retest-after-inconclusive-result>)* prior to his positive test. "Checo came into contact with a small group of team members. They are self-isolating and being retested."

https://twitter.com/_/status/1288841728410169344

Mercedes-AMG is likely to supply Racing Point with a reserve driver in the form of Esteban Gutierrez or Stoffel Vandoorne at this weekend's British Grand Prix. Perez's countryman Gutierrez is expected to be the more likely stand-in as Vandoorne is currently preparing for [Formula E's six-race marathon in Berlin](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/34153/formula-e-season-will-resume-with-six-races-in-nine-days-at-the-same-track>). A *Fox Sports* F1 pundit has tweeted that Gutierrez is reportedly already en route to Silverstone Circuit, where the Grand Prix will be held.

https://twitter.com/_/status/1288888038081417219

The British Grand Prix is reportedly still expected to go on as planned. There won't be spectators, but the outside world will still be let in via live broadcasts.

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## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)