Lewis Hamilton says he is "feeling great" and gearing up for a return to racing in Abu Dhabi next weekend, if circumstances allow him to do so.
The seven-time world champion has been in isolation in Bahrain for a week after testing positive for the coronavirus and being forced to sit out the Sakhir GP.
Hamilton reportedly suffered from mild symptoms according to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, who described the Briton as being "on the right track" on Monday after enduring an "unpleasant" period.
On Tuesday, Hamilton posted a video on social media in which he confirmed that he had indeed experienced one of his "hardest weeks" in along time.
Love and appreciate you all🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/Y4qs5sYlYg
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) December 8, 2020
"Hi everyone, hope you’re all well, this has been one of the hardest weeks that I have had for some time," he said.
"I’ve been focusing on recovering, trying to get back in shape so I can get back in the car and race the final race in Abu Dhabi.
"I woke up today feeling great, got my first workout in, wanted to send a message of positivity and let you guys I’m okay, and thank everyone for sending me messages and videos, I really appreciate it.
"I hope you’re staying positive and fighting through whatever it is you’re facing. I hope I can get back in the car soon, sending you guys love."
Hamilton is facing a few hurdles amid a tight schedule to be able to race at Yas Marina. He will be required to test negative on Thursday to be able to leave Bahrain and then will need to test negative again upon entering Abu Dhabi.
But even if Hamilton is given a clean bill of health he will need to isolate for 24 hours in Abu Dhabi, and then undertake another test per F1's protocol before entering the paddock's protected 'biosphere' at Yas Marina.
The timeline of the successive tests implies that the Mercedes driver could miss Friday's running - and perhaps even FP3 on Saturday - and take to the track for qualifying in which he will implicitly need to take part to be eligible to race on Sunday.
If Hamilton is unable to race in Abu Dhabi, George Russell is expected to fill in once again for the recently crowned world champion.
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