FIA RULES EVERYONE MUST BE VACCINATED

FORMULA One staff must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 under new FIA rules.

The policy drawn up by the sport’s governing body will be written into the regulations for the new season and will apply to all drivers, teams, media and hospitality guests. It is expected that no exemptions will be granted.

The sport hopes the rule will avoid a repeat of the Novak Djokovic fiasco in the build-up to the Australian Open.

All of the grid’s current drivers (champion Max Verstappen, above) are understood to be vaccinated.

An F1 spokesperson said: “Formula One management will require all travelling personnel to be fully vaccinated and will not request exemptions.”

The mandate will pose a dilemma for those opposed to compulsory vaccination. FIA medical car driver Alan van der Merwe has elected not to have the vaccine.