FIA alerted to COVID-19 protocol neglect by Ferrari and Mercedes

The FIA is set to address a staunch warning to Ferrari and Mercedes after it was brought to the attention of the governing body that Charles Leclerc and Valtteri Bottas had neglected F1's COVID-19 protocols.

Formula 1's reprise in Austria was undertaken under strict safety procedures to mitigate any risk of COVID-19 contagion.

In the paddock, teams are organized in groups and bubbles, with no contact between entities while F1 personnel are restricted to remaining within their own social cluster, even outside the confines of the track.

There are no constraints within the FIA's Code of Conduct about team members travelling away from venues as long as they remain within their own group.

However, the FIA frowned upon the behavior of Bottas and Leclerc who both travelled back home to Monaco in between the two races taking place at the Red Bull Ring.

• FIA reminds mask-less Vettel, Red Bull of COVID-19 protocol

Both drivers posted their activities on social media, and while there was no indication that Bottas had stepped outside of his bubble, Leclerc was seen socializing with friends and fans in Monaco, and without wearing a mask.

Reports indicate that the FIA will write to both teams to remind them of the watertight restrictions and to strictly follow the Code of Conduct that all race attendees must adhere to.

Leclerc's erring is the second breach of protocol by a member of Ferrari, with a mask-less Sebastian Vettel singled out last week mingling in the Austrian GP paddock with Red Bull team members Christian Horner and Helmut Marko.

Bottas insisted he had done nothing wrong as he had not stepped outside his social bubble while travelling to or residing in Monaco.

"Obviously I found out if it's allowed to go back, and yes it is," he said. "Of course, it doesn't make a difference if I stay with the same people in the same bubble, whether I'm here or back home in Monaco.

"So I decided to go back home, as we are in Europe and travelling is pretty short. So there's no extra stress really from the travel.

"I wanted to spend those three full days at home. I thought it was very nice, feeling very recharged for the weekend.

"So I think it was a good decision from our side, and I understand what to do, what works for me, what I want to do between the races and from safety point of view, there's no difference at all.

"It's still the same people that I would be dealing with here."

Leclerc says he relied on multiple coronavirus tests to give himself the green light to return to the Principality.

"I did come back at home," said the Ferrari driver. "On the other hand, I've been tested twice before coming back.

"So in two days, testing twice, both negative obviously. And that's it. Yes, I went back home for two days and then the two tests to be sure of the results."

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