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RAIKKONEN TO MISS DUTCH GP AFTER POSITIVE TEST

Kimi Raikkonen to miss Dutch GP after positive test - Image: Motorsport Images

By Dan McCarthy

Date posted: September 4, 2021

Just days after announcing that he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season, Kimi Raikkonen will be forced to miss the Dutch Grand Prix after testing positive for COVID-19 and will be replaced by Robert Kubica.

The COVID-19 case will likely force the 2007 Formula 1 World Champion to not only miss the race this weekend, but also the Italian Grand Prix at Monza next weekend unless he tests negative for the virus twice in the lead up to the event.

The Alfa Romeo F1 team has reported that Raikkonen is displaying no symptoms and remains in good spirits.

The Finnish star has gone into immediate hotel isolation in the Netherlands, while the team has carried out an investigation into any close contacts.

It is believed by the team that there will be no impact for the remainder of the event.

Standing in for Raikkonen for the remainder of the weekend will be 2008 Canadian Grand Prix winner, and Alfa Romeo reserve driver Robert Kubica.

The Polish driver has been the reserve driver of Alfa Romeo Racing since the start of last season.

Kubica has already driven the team’s C41 machine in three practice sessions this year.

Kubica is an F1 veteran of 97 Formula 1 starts, he won the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix and was a star of the future until he suffered a serious rally crash which very nearly ended his career.

Several years later Kubica made a return, racing for Williams Grand Prix Engineering in 2019 before taking on the reserve role with Alfa Romeo.

Raikkonen is the first F1 driver to test positive for COVID-19 this year, after Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez were forced to miss races in 2020.

For more of the latest F1 news pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.

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