New COVID cases in F1 not linked to Sochi fan attendance

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Formula 1 has confirmed that 10 members of the F1 community recently tested positive for COVID-19, but the cases were not linked to spectator attendance at the Russian Grand Prix.

As part of F1's ongoing safety protocol, a total of 1,822 tests were conducted on teams, drivers and personnel between Friday 25th September and Thursday 1st October, with ten individuals - labeled as ancillary personnel - diagnosed as positive.

"Those cases have been managed quickly and effectively without impacting the event," stated F1.

"The presence of fans has not affected that situation as the public was not allowed to enter the F1 bubble as per our protocol in force."

Last weekend's Russian Grand Prix was the first F1 event of the 2020 season to accept a healthy spectator presence in the grandstands, with attendance estimated at 30,000 fans per day.

Contrary to many countries, Russia has not enforced social distancing rules and the wearing of masks, a leniency that may have led to the ancillary personnel contracting the virus outside of the boundaries of the Sochi Autodrom.

Haas' Romain Grosjean admitted last weekend to not being happy with the safety measures he witnessed at his hotel.

"In Russia, wearing a mask isn't mandatory," said the Frenchman. "Waiter do but don't cover their noses.

"There are many fans at the hotel, so we sometimes find ourselves sharing an elevator with people from outside the F1 bubble. That's not something I'm super comfortable with.

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"I don't fear contracting the coronavirus for my health, I just don't want to have it because I wouldn't be allowed to go racing, I wouldn't be allowed to do my job.

"I am not happy with the safety measures implemented at the hotel."

F1's previous test reported a week earlier was conducted on 3,256 individuals and yielded seven positive cases.

Since testing was initiated, F1 has completed approximately 50,000 COVID-19 tests from which emerged just 26 positive cases.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.