Just_a_fan wrote: ↑11 Feb 2021, 16:27
JordanMugen wrote: ↑11 Feb 2021, 02:22
One notes that the 6 of 20 Formula One drivers confirmed as having caught COVID19 is
FAR above the general world population rate, suggesting F1 personnel travelling around the world has greatly, greatly increased their risk of catching and thus spreading COVID (and thus the virus having more generations to mutate too).
Despite FOM's best efforts to operate a COVID-safe sport, the increased COVID risk posed by excessive travel between countries is one they cannot mitigate -- as seen by that high 30% infection rate of Formula One drivers, compared to a global rate of 1.4% (or even say 5% if global cases are underreported due to lack of tests).
UK Government reckons at least 1 in 3 has asymptomatic COVID. If that's the case, with F1 testing everyone on a constant rolling basis, the fact that low total numbers in F1 tested as positive is actually showing that the FIA has got it right. Bear in mind that the drivers are the most exposed people in F1 being required to do media, PR, and other stuff every weekend mixing with all and sundry, even if it is done with "social distancing". Add in that the drivers are generally young and that group isn't known for always being sensible and it's no surprise that drivers have caught it. Of the 6 drivers, 3 caught it during the season itself. The other 3 caught it out of season when they may have been tempted to let their guards down a bit.
That's 1 in 3 people who have Covid are asymptomatic, not 1 in 3 people in general population have asymptomatic Covid.
TBF though, you have to look at the whole paddock, not just the drivers. But being tested more often AND being high profile means that any who do get it are more visible.
I'd also argue that the F1 bubble is a close nit community and so if one person does contract it then there is a higher risk of it spreading within the bubble. What is most relevant is whether there are any cases outside the bubble linked back to F1 staff within that bubble. That's what really matters in this instance. If F1 can say, yes we've had cases inside our personnel, but been able to successfully avoid transmission outside the bubble, then that would show that they're still safe to travel around.
Also of the F1 drivers to have it, Checo caught it after breaking social distancing rules back in Brazil and any who caught it during off season were just as at risk as anyone else.