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AFP
![Lewis Hamilton has arrived in Abu Dhabi.]()
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Lewis Hamilton has arrived in Abu Dhabi.
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AFP
![His replacement George Russell did not know on Thursday how things are with Hamilton.]()
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His replacement George Russell did not know on Thursday how things are with Hamilton.
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Formula 1 via Getty Images
![Russell showed a great race on Sunday, and Bottas drove away at the start.]()
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Russell showed a great race on Sunday, and Bottas drove away at the start.
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imago images/Motorsport Images
![Mattia Binotto left the desert. But it should have nothing to do with Corona.]()
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Mattia Binotto left the desert. But it should have nothing to do with Corona.
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And the Briton was immediately tested again at the airport. This sample must have been negative too. Because the FIA declared at 6.45 p.m. CET: Lewis Hamilton can now go back to the paddock.
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Russell only at the PK at Mercedes
At the official two-person PK of the ten teams, digitally distributed all over the world, the new GP shocker Georg Russell (22) sat next to Valtteri Bottas (31) at the Mercedes appearance in the afternoon. The Brit: “We are all waiting for Lewis’ last corona test. If it is negative, then it drives! ” That’s the way it is!
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For a race on Sunday, the seven-time champion Hamilton would have just had to take part in Saturday’s qualification.
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Lewis healthy – Binotto sick
Now Hamilton is obviously really keen to test his form in the first practice session – on to the 266th Grand Prix, the 99th pole position and the 96th victory? The desert final starts on Sunday at 2.10 p.m. CET (TV live).
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There was also excitement at Ferrari on Thursday. Team boss Mattia Binotto (51), who only watched one of the last three races live in the pits, has left the desert for Europe. The Italian is said to be sick – has the now secure 6th World Championship place (Ferrari hasn’t been that bad since 1980) hit him on the stomach?
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Ferrari: “No Corona!”
The reds immediately denied that the departure should be related to Corona. Binotto had announced weeks ago that in 2021 (when 23 races are on the program) he no longer wants to travel as much and wants to spend more time in the factory halls. The man has grown tired, marked by the failures.
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Wolff leaves everything open
At Mercedes, after Russell’s brilliant performance in Bahrain on Sunday, one question is now being somewhat defused. A question that annoyed the boss Toto Wolff for days: “Will Hamilton and Russell even sit in the Silver Arrow in 2021?” The Viennese: “Everything is possible!” Sure, because Bottas has not failed in the best car for the first time. Russell would certainly not be a problem as number 2 …
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Good security concept
Before the final, after the second Bahrain race, the FIA once again made its Corona numbers in Formula 1 official: “Of our more than 80,000 tests since the end of June around the racetracks, 87 were positive!”
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Hamilton got it as the third GP driver after the Racing Point duo Pérez and Stroll. And: In each of the ten teams, at least one person has tested positive in the 16 races in 2020 so far.
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