Alonso tests positive, arriving late for Brazilian Grand Prix

Alpine driver Fernando Alonso, returned a positive Covid-19 test and will arrive late for the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The two-time Formula 1 world champion returned a positive result on a lateral flow test on Tuesday and was not able to travel to Sao Paulo as planned, forcing his arrival to be delayed.

The 41-year-old Alonso has been replaced by reserve driver Oscar Piastri for Thursday's media activities, but the team remains confident he will be able to compete in the race weekend.

Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer said Thursday: "I spoke to Fernando last night, and he's in good spirits, so hopefully, he'll have a negative test tomorrow, which means he can fly out this evening and be here Friday afternoon."

If Alonso does not test negative before Friday, Piastri will take his place in the car for the rest of the weekend.

Szafnauer said: "We're confident that Fernando will be back in the car. But we're also prepared if that's not the case. We've got a young driver who can do the job. We're not concerned about that."

Alonso is not the only driver to test positive for Covid-19 this season. AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly also missed the Italian Grand Prix in September after returning a positive test.

The Brazilian Grand Prix is the penultimate race of the 2022 Formula 1 season. Alonso is currently ninth in the drivers' standings with 77 points.