Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel has yet to test negative for Covid-19. PA
Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel has yet to test negative for Covid-19. PA
Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel has yet to test negative for Covid-19. PA
Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel has yet to test negative for Covid-19. PA

Sport

F1

Sebastian Vettel doubtful for Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Aston Martin driver has yet to return negative test for Covid-19

The National

March 24, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel remains doubtful for this weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as he has yet to return a negative test for Covid-19, the team said on Thursday.

The four-times world champion missed the season opener in Bahrain last weekend after testing positive, with reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg replacing him. Aston Martin revealed Hulkenberg will remain on standby for the race in Jeddah.

A statement from the British team read: "Sebastian Vettel has not yet returned the required negative Covid test to fly to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

"Nico Hulkenberg will be in Jeddah to deputise for Seb if necessary.

"We will delay our final decision until Friday to provide Seb every opportunity to race."

Although mandatory testing has been scrapped by Formula One, teams are continuing with the process.

F1 has made it compulsory for all team personnel to be vaccinated this year.

But drivers can still be banned from the paddock if they return a positive test in a country where isolation is not required. It is understood this is unlikely to change anytime soon.

In Vettel's absence, Aston Martin endured a poor start to the new campaign. Lance Stroll finished 12th with Hulkenberg 17th and last.

  • Ferrari's Bahrain Grand Prix winner Charles Leclerc celebrates after the opening race of the season. AFP
    Ferrari's Bahrain Grand Prix winner Charles Leclerc celebrates after the opening race of the season. AFP
  • Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton greets Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz of Spain, left, and race winner Charles Leclerc. AP
    Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton greets Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz of Spain, left, and race winner Charles Leclerc. AP
  • Ferrari's Charles Leclerc celebrates on the podium after winning the race with second place Carlos Sainz and third place Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto. Reuters
    Ferrari's Charles Leclerc celebrates on the podium after winning the race with second place Carlos Sainz and third place Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto. Reuters
  • Ferrari's Charles Leclerc celebrates on the podium with the trophy. Reuters
    Ferrari's Charles Leclerc celebrates on the podium with the trophy. Reuters
  • Race winner Charles Leclerc and second placed Carlos Sainz on the podium. Getty
    Race winner Charles Leclerc and second placed Carlos Sainz on the podium. Getty
  • Ferrari's Charles Leclerc celebrates with his team after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix. Reuters
    Ferrari's Charles Leclerc celebrates with his team after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix. Reuters
  • Charles Leclerc in action during the Bahrain Grand Prix. AP
    Charles Leclerc in action during the Bahrain Grand Prix. AP
  • Charles Leclerc leads the pack at the start of the Formula One Grand Prix of Bahrain. EPA
    Charles Leclerc leads the pack at the start of the Formula One Grand Prix of Bahrain. EPA
  • Red Bull's Mexican driver Sergio Perez is assisted by mechanics during a pit stop. AFP
    Red Bull's Mexican driver Sergio Perez is assisted by mechanics during a pit stop. AFP
  • Smoke billows from AlphaTauri's French driver Pierre Gasly's car after it caught fire. AFP
    Smoke billows from AlphaTauri's French driver Pierre Gasly's car after it caught fire. AFP
Important questions to consider

1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?

There are different types of travel available for pets:

  • Manifest cargo
  • Excess luggage in the hold
  • Excess luggage in the cabin

Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.

 

2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?

If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.

If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.

 

3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?

As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.

If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty. 

If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport. 

 

4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?

This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.

In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.

 

5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?

Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.

Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.

Source: Pawsome Pets UAE

Fight card

1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)

2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)

3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)

4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)

5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)

6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)

7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)

8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)

9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)

10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)

11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)

12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)

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