Formulation One chief Max Verstappen mentioned he was not worrying about COVID-19 affecting the championship consequence however rival Lewis Hamilton remained cautious as international locations ease restrictions.

Hamilton examined constructive for the coronavirus final December and needed to miss the Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain, which got here after the Mercedes driver had sealed his record-equalling seventh world championship.

1 Associated

5 different drivers, out of 20, have examined constructive because the begin of the pandemic.

“If I slide within the bathe and I break my neck it is the identical story, is not it?” Crimson Bull’s Verstappen instructed reporters forward of Sunday’s Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix when requested whether or not he was taking any further precautions.

“If I’m going out in Monaco and I slip whereas strolling and I break my leg, I imply, it is also not nice,” added the 24-year-old, who leads Hamilton by 12 factors with 5 races remaining.

“I do not actually take into consideration this stuff. I simply carry on doing and dwelling my life like I’ve been within the final two years already, after all, with COVID. Simply proceed doing what I’ve been doing.”

F1 arrives in Mexico from the U.S. Grand Prix in Texas and heads subsequent to Brazil earlier than a closing run of three races within the Center East.

COVID-19 has killed over 600,000 individuals in Brazil, the second highest loss of life toll on the planet behind solely the US. Mexico has the fourth highest.

Deaths and infections have, nonetheless, declined throughout the Americas for the eighth consecutive week, in response to the Pan American Well being Group (PAHO).

F1 has travelled additional afield this season, after a 2020 marketing campaign in Europe and the Center East, and welcomed giant crowds once more after a 12 months behind closed doorways.

The groups function inside a protecting “bubble” however the paddock has opened up extra.

Hamilton mentioned he saved the group round him to a small variety of individuals, and was cautious the place he went, however felt most individuals outdoors the game took it much less severely.

“I’ve seen footballers only recently, they did not care. I learn that they did not actually put an excessive amount of deal with it,” he mentioned. “And in the event that they miss a recreation, it does not make an enormous distinction. It is a bit totally different right here.

“We’re permitting followers to return in that are not examined and likewise now I feel all of the photographers are coming in,” the Briton added.

“I do know it is opening it up extra, however I anticipate they’re going to must make some adjustments quickly as a result of it is a powerful bubble to maintain.”