AlphaTauri F1 team accepts Bahrain COVID-19 vaccine
AlphaTauri Formula 1 boss Franz Tost said that his entire team has taken advantage of the Bahraini government's offer of COVID-19 vaccinations for visitors.
The long gap between arrival for this week's pre-season test and departure after the Bahrain Grand Prix on 28 March has created a window that allows F1 personnel to receive the necessary two jabs within the required timescale.
The offer is available to all visitors to the country, and not just those coming for the race.
Senior personnel including new F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali had indicated that it would be wrong for those working in F1 to be seen jumping the queue for a vaccine in their home countries.
Following Bahrain's announcement, the F1 organisation indicated that its own travelling staff would not be taking advantage of the opportunity.
However, teams and drivers have decided to get vaccinated, with those based in EU nations encouraged to do so after a slower roll out in their countries.
On Friday Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz both said that they had taken advantage of Bahrain's offer, with the AlphaTauri team also accepting the vaccine.
"All the team members from Scuderia AlphaTauri have been vaccinated on Tuesday," said Tost.
"We will stay one or two days longer after the race for the second vaccination, because health as you know is the most important factor.
Franz Tost AlphaTauri Bahrain F1 test 2021
Photo by: Peter Fox/Getty Images
"Me as a team principal, I'm responsible for the health of the people, and therefore we did this vaccination, and I say many, many thanks to Bahrain that they offered us this possibility.
"In Europe, I don't know how long we wait to be vaccinated, especially in Austria and Italy and so on. Therefore, we are more than happy."
British-based teams Aston Martin and Alpine said that they had left the choice to each team member.
"We decided to leave it up to the individuals," said Aston boss Otmar Szafnauer. "But like Franz said, it was a very kind offer by the Bahrainis.
"So we left it, it was an individual choice, and because of it, I haven't asked which individuals opted in or out.
"I can happily say that I'm so old, I was vaccinated in the UK!"
Alpine executive director Marcin Budkowski added: "Similar, we haven't set any policies.
"We as a team, we've just left it to the individuals to decide what they wanted to do."
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