F1 Race Directors to miss Miami Grand Prix after testing positive for COVID-19

Both FIA Race Directors are said to have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of next week’s Miami Grand Prix.

According to reports, FIA Race Directors Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas have tested positive for COVID-19 and may not be cleared to travel to the US for the inaugural Miami Grand Prix.

After the FIA dismissed Michael Masi from the job following last year’s controversially managed finale in Abu Dhabi, Wittich and Freitas split Race Director duties for the 2022 season.

Both Wittich and Freitas are said to have contracted the virus following the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, putting them in a race against time to recover and test negative in time for the next round in Miami.

Wittich and Freitas will need a negative test to travel to the United States for the first Miami Grand Prix, which will take place on the 6th and 8th of May.

It’s unclear who could step in at such short notice if one or both of the existing Race Directors are unable to attend the event.

Wittich has tested positive for the virus, according to a reliable source at the FIA, but he could not comment on Freitas.

Wittich has been in control for the first four rounds of the season, despite the fact that the two were supposed to share duties on a three-race rotation.