“In line with the FIA Code Of Conduct, Sergio requires a verified negative test result for Covid-19 before he can enter the paddock. The testing process is taking place today.
“The team expects to make a decision on who is driving alongside Lance later today or first thing tomorrow morning.”
Perez was tested for coronavirus last Wednesday, ahead of the British Grand Prix. The result was announced the following day as inconclusive and the Mexican driver was re-tested and immediately isolated himself.
As this was happening on Thursday, the British government increased the quarantine period for anyone testing positive for Covid-19 from seven days to ten.
Perez’s positive result ruled him out of last weekend’s race but it has since been unclear whether he would also be forced to miss the second Silverstone Grand Prix because of the quarantine change.
Today’s statement suggests that Perez’s quarantine was seen to officially begin from his inconclusive test, so he beat the cut-off for a seven-day self-isolation rather than ten.
In the wake of Perez’s quarantine, Hülkenberg was lined up and travelled to Silverstone, underwent his own Covid-19 test and had a seat fitting at the Racing Point factory in under 12 hours of Perez’s positive test.
Unfortunately for the German, his Formula 1 return was cut short after an issue on fire-up ahead of last Sunday’s race which the team could not fix in time for him to take the start.