Ricciardo will race in Bahrain GP after negative Covid test

Daniel Ricciardo will be fit to race in Formula 1’s 2022 season opener after posting a negative Covid test ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Australian missed the entirety of the second pre-season test in Sakhir after feeling unwell and registering a positive test result mid-week.

McLaren said in a statement that Ricciardo would be at the circuit on Thursday and would be racing for the team in Bahrain.

“McLaren F1 team confirms that after testing positive for Covid-19 last week, Daniel has now returned a number of negative tests and will therefore return to the paddock on Thursday ready to compete in this weekend’s Bahrain GP.

“Daniel has been feeling better each day as he continued to recover while in isolation following local regulations in Bahrain.”

Update from the team on @DanielRicciardo. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rDqeYRlf6P

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 16, 2022

Team-mate Lando Norris carried out the entirety of driving duties during the Bahrain test meaning Ricciardo last drove the 2022 McLaren in Spain last month.

The team suffered a great deal of overheating issues throughout the week, with excessive brake temperatures affecting much of the run plan during all three days of testing.

McLaren also announced that Oscar Piastri would be available as a reserve driver after reaching an agreement with Alpine for the reigning Formula 2 champion’s services this season.

Piastri was present in the Bahrain paddock fulfilling his role as reserve with the French team. The deal between the teams was announced during the test but was said to be unrelated to Ricciardo’s positive Covid test.