Back to the Auto Racing Newsfeed

Hamilton 'grateful to be alive' after returning from COVID layoff

Lewis Hamilton said he feels "grateful to be alive" after returning from a positive COVID-19 test to race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he finished third.

Hamilton, who sat out the Sakhir Grand Prix last week and was only cleared to race this weekend on Thursday, admitted to not being 100 percent after qualifying in the same position on Saturday evening and 24 hours later said nothing had changed.

The Mercedes driver, who otherwise dominated the season and wrapped up the championship with three races to spare, looked to be off his usual best during the race.