F1 to make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for 2022 season

In a report by The Times, no exemptions will be made as the sport looks to counter the ongoing threat of coronavirus. 

The new rule will apply to everyone including the drivers, engineers, media, hospitality workers and guests who attend the grands prix.

According to the BBC, the new policy will not affect any of the 20 drivers set to take part this season.

This is welcome news as F1 will be keen to avoid the controversy surrounding Novak Djokovic in Tennis.

Djokovic wasn’t able to participate in the Australian Open due to not being vaccinated and not receiving clearance to enter the country.

F1 is set to return to Australia after a two-year absence in April. 

The 2020 season was delayed until July due to pandemic, while 2021 featured 22 races in a heavily-revised calendar which didn’t include Australia, China, Singapore, Japan and Canada. 

F1 will embark on a record-breaking 23-race calendar in 2022 with all the aforementioned venues included except China.

Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen have all missed grands prix due to COVID.

The new season will get underway in Bahrain on March 18-20.