Formula 1 to make covid vaccines mandatory for all personnel this season

It is thought that all of the drivers are vaccinated

Formula 1 is set to make covid-19 vaccines mandatory for all personnel this year, which will apply to the drivers, teams, media, hospitality workers and any guests who attend the races. As reported by the Times, the decision to make vaccines mandatory could see a relaxation of covid restrictions within the sport, for example, a reduction in testing and relaxation of the 'bubble' system that has been implemented over the last two years. The move will mean that everyone working within the paddock - F1's inner sanctum where the teams operate - will be required to be fully vaccinated. It is thought that the new ruling will not impact on any of the drivers' ability to compete as they all are understood to be vaccinated. The decision to make the change was agreed at last month's meeting of the world council of governing body the FIA, however, there was a delay in announcing the news.  Formula 1 will also continue to follow and abide by the wider covid policies of each country it visits. As per the BBC, a spokesman for F1 - which runs the commercial side of the sport, including deciding the calendar - said: "F1 (FOM) will require all travelling personnel to be fully vaxxed and will not request exemptions." Double vaccination was required in order to enter the USA for last year's US Grand Prix in Texas. Since the start of the pandemic, four drives have been required to miss races after contracting coronavirus, with Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll missing out while competing for Racing Point in 2020. Lewis Hamilton missed the penultimate race of the 2020 season and Kimi Raikkonen was absent at last year's Dutch and Italian Grand Prix's.

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