There have been a few late changes ahead of the opening round of the European Le Mans Series 2021, which will run this weekend at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
AF Corse Ferrari #88 with Francois Perrodo, Alessio Rovera, and Emmanuel Collard has withdrawn due to a positive COVID-19 test amongst the drivers. The car only tested on Tuesday, with only Rovera posting laptimes. The team has since then slowly packed their kit into the trailer.
Panis Racing #65 is partly hit by the same issue. James Allen was tested positive for COVID-19, and even though he has no symptoms, he is not allowed anywhere near the Barcelona paddock. He will be replaced by Gabriel Aubry, who ironically himself had to skip a race in 2020, when he was tested positive for COVID-19 between the ELMS and FIA WEC rounds at Spa Francorchamps.
Photo: JJ Media
The European Le Mans Series and especially Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has very strict rules regarding testing, hand sanitizing, masks, and other safety measures, to host the weekend as safe as possible. Nobody is allowed into the track, without being able to show a maximum 5 days old negative Corona test, and all teams, drivers, marshals, and the press as well, are tested several times during the week, to catch any potential root of decease.
It’s a bit unclear, if it was during the on-site tests, that the positive results were caught, or if it was tests taking by other authorities.
The European Le Mans Series will run their qualifying for this weekend’s race on Saturday at 13.40 local time, with the race being run on Sunday at 11.00 CET.
