Valtteri Bottas and Charles Leclerc under light of possible COVID breach

Valtteri Bottas and Charles Leclerc under the light of possible COVID-19 regulation breach during the ongoing Formula 1 season.

Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc are suspect of breaching the COVID guidelines ahead of the Styrian Grand Prix, which is due to be done this weekend.

According to a report by the Associated Press, Leclerc was spotted on social media posing with a waitress in a Monte Carlo restaurant earlier this week.

Whereas, Bottas also reportedly posted a picture of his Monaco, arrived back in Austria by plane on Thursday. According to the F1 guidelines, the players are obligated to remain in their bubbles between the scheduled Grand Prix events.

Article 3.14 of the FIA’s Covid-19 Code of Conduct reads: “Any time that Profile 1 Attendees spend outside the Venue during a Covered Event or between Covered Events must be spent with other members of the same Group, keeping interaction with persons outside that Group to a minimum.”

Bottas’ bubble consists of girlfriend Tiffany Cromwell and trainer Antti Vierula. The FIA is now monitoring the movement of the players to verify whether they have broken any rules.

Meanwhile, Mercedes has come in stating Bottas’ innocence, a Mercedes spokesperson said: “Valtteri remained in his bubble and maintained COVID testing protocol, being tested in Monaco on Tuesday and again today at the track.”

Valtteri Bottas and Charles Leclerc to dominate Styrian Grand Prix?

Both the drivers dominated the last Grand Prix and on Sunday the second race of the season will be organized on the same venue, therefore, they would be hoping to repeat the feat.

Leclerc’s podium was impressive as he raised himself from the 7th position in the Grid to end at the 2nd position, even though Ferrari didn’t look great on the track.

However, the officials in the Italian outfit have confirmed that Ferrari would be receiving their crucial upgrades before the next race giving a probable push to them.

On the other hand, Bottas looked unbeatable in the Austrian Grand Prix as he started from the pole and managed to maintain his position till the end even after facing constant threat from teammate Lewis Hamilton.

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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