Räikkönen ruled out of Dutch Grand Prix, Kubica to replace him

The Alfa Romeo Racing team has announced that Kimi Räikkönen has tested positive for COVID-19 which will rule him out of the Dutch Grand Prix. The Swiss-Italian team's reserve driver Robert Kubica will step in to replace the Finn this weekend at Zandvoort.

The team confirmed Saturday morning that "following the latest round of testing conducted in Zandvoort in advance of the 2021 Dutch Grand Prix, driver Kimi Räikkönen has tested positive for COVID-19."

Raikkonen, who has just announced that he would be retire from the sport at the end of the current season, is currently isolating in his hotel, with the team saying he is “displaying no symptoms and is in good spirits. The team wishes Kimi a speedy recovery.”

After receiving the positive Covid-19 test result for Raikkönen, Alfa Romeo has carried out an investigation for any close contacts, but there will be no further impact for the team for the remainder of this event.

The FIA and F1 said in a statement: “The FIA, Formula 1 and Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN can today confirm that during onsite PCR testing for the 2021 FIA Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix, Kimi Räikkönen has tested positive for COVID-19.

“In accordance with COVID-19 protocols he will take no further part in this Event. All contacts have been declared. The procedures set out by the FIA and Formula 1 will ensure no wider impact on the Dutch Grand Prix.”

The Hinwil-based outfit's reserve driver Robert Kubica will stand-in for Räikkönen. The Krakow-born racer has been reserve driver of Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN since the start of the 2020 season and has driven the team’s C41 in three practice sessions this year. The 36-year-old driver has 97 Formula One starts to his name, and this will be his first race with the Alfa Romeo Racing squad.