Viewers of the British and German TV channel Sky Sports are used to the fact that Nico Rosberg often appeared in the paddock and participated as an expert in reports from the Grand Prix. Over the weekend in Monaco, however, he only linked up with such reports via video link, which was somewhat odd given the former Mercedes driver lives in this Mediterranean principality.
It turned out that Rosberg has now been banned from the paddock for refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19. And this despite the fact that the 2016 world champion is guaranteed a lifetime pass.
“I recovered quite well after suffering from a coronavirus disease, so everything is fine with my antibodies,” explains Niko in the broadcast of the German TV channel Sport1. – In addition, the level of antibodies that I have is regularly checked. In this situation, my doctor advised me not to get vaccinated because it makes no sense at all.”
But in 2022, the World Motor Sport Council approved new rules for press admission to the paddock, stating that only those who have been fully vaccinated can enter the paddock. The document emphasizes that failure to comply with this rule may lead to the withdrawal of accreditation.
Such harsh measures do not only apply to members of the press. Notably, Alan van der Merwe, the driver of the FIA’s medical car, is no longer appearing at the races – it was he who showed extraordinary courage in 2020 and saved Roman Grosjean after a terrible accident in Bahrain. However, he also chose not to vaccinate and was replaced by Bruno Correa, who previously drove a Formula E safety car.
Source: F1 News
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