Lewis Hamilton shares encouraging COVID-19 recovery update after 'one of the hardest weeks'

After testing positive for COVID-19 last week, Formula 1 superstar Lewis Hamilton says he’s feeling better — but that’s after he experienced what he described as “one of the hardest weeks that I’ve had for some time.”

Despite testing negative multiple times before the Bahrain Grand Prix — a race Hamliton won during the final weekend in November — the 35-year-old driver woke up on November 30 with mild symptoms and subsequently tested positive for the coronavirus, his Mercedes team said in a statement. Hamilton said he immediately began isolating for 10 days, and, as a result, he missed Sunday’s Sakhir Grand Prix.

“I’m really lucky that I feel OK with only mild symptoms and will do my best to stay fit and healthy,” Hamilton wrote in a social media post December 1.

Since then, the seven-time F1 champion — who already locked up his record-tying seventh title last month — hadn’t posted anything to his normally active Instagram and Twitter pages until Tuesday, when he provided a positive update about his recovery. This time, he was on video, and he said he hopes to be able to compete in F1’s season finale in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Hamilton said:

“I know I’ve not been in touch this past week, but it’s definitely been one of the hardest weeks that I’ve had for some time. And just been focusing on recovering and trying to get back in shape, so I can get back in the car and race the final race in Abu Dhabi.

“I woke up today feeling great and got my first workout in, so I just wanted to send you guys a message of positivity, let you know that I’m OK. And thank every single one of you for sending the amazing messages and videos. And I really, really appreciate it.

“I hope wherever you are, you’re staying positive and fighting through whatever it is that you’re facing. And I hope that I get back in the car soon. And yeah, I’m sending you guys love.”