Felipe Nasr tests positive for coronavirus, misses Daytona 240 round
Felipe Nasr will miss this weekend's IMSA SportsCar Championship round at Daytona for Action Express Racing after testing positive for coronavirus
Ex-Sauber Formula 1 racer Nasr was due to return to action this weekend for the first time since the IMSA season-opening Daytona 24 Hours in January, sharing driving duties in the #31 Action Express Cadillac DPi-V.R with compatriot Pipo Derani.
However ahead of Friday's first practice session for the behind closed doors event, the WeatherTech 240, AXR issued a statement revealing Nasr had tested positive for COVID-19 and will therefore return to quarantine in Miami.
Former IndyCar racer Gabby Chaves, who last competed in IMSA with AXR at the 2018 Petit Le Mans, will replace the 2018 IMSA champion this weekend while Nasr targets a return at the following Sebring race on 18 July.
"I've been waiting so long for this weekend to get back to racing," Nasr said.
"I felt I had been doing everything correctly. I have been in Miami for about a month, staying away from anyone in racing.
"Yesterday as I was driving to Daytona, I wasn't feeling just right.
"So, before I went to the track or met with my team or anyone in motorsports, I went and got tested and, unfortunately, I tested positive.
"I want to keep everyone on the Whelen Engineering/Action Express team and those around the series safe. I am going back to Miami to quarantine.
"Hopefully, I will recover quickly, and my doctors can clear me to return to racing soon.
"For now, I will follow all instructions, guidelines and recommendations from my medical team, my race team, and the IMSA officials."
Team manager Gary Nelson added: "We are certainly going to miss having [Nasr] competing in our Whelen Cadillac DPi-V.R on Saturday at Daytona.
"But, more importantly, he is a great friend to us all and we know he will fight hard to beat this virus the same way he fights for trophies on the racetracks. We wish him a speedy recovery."
Chaves, the 2014 Indy Lights champion, was named as a full-season driver for Bryan Herta Autosport's campaign in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship-supporting IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge earlier this year, driving one of the team's Hyundai Veloster N TCRs.
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