(Reuters) – Formula 1 title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have urged people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as the sport draws world attention ahead of Sunday’s winner-takes-all showdown in Abu Dhabi.
The race that concluded the season pits Mercedes’ seven-time world champion Hamilton against Red Bull’s Verstappen with the pair tied on points but the Dutch youngster 9-8 ahead of race wins.
“We’re finding our way back to things we love, but COVID hasn’t gone away,” Hamilton, who missed a race in Bahrain last year due to the virus, said in a video released by Formula 1 on Saturday and featuring 19 of the 20 drivers.
“Please do your bit,” said Verstappen.
“Get vaccinated, I think it’s the wise thing to do,” added four-time German champion Sebastian Vettel, who races for Aston Martin.
“We have to be in this together and we all have to be in this together,” said two-time Spanish champion Fernando Alonso.
Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion who is retiring after Sunday’s race at age 42, was not seen. The Finn tested positive for the virus in September and missed two races.
Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said vaccines and boosters were the way forward.
“We need to keep everyone safe and move forward together. I have had my vaccine and my booster and am asking everyone to do the same. Formula 1 is moving forward and we are asking everyone to play their part,” he said.
Formula 1 teams have been operating in a protective bubble with regular testing since last year, although protocols have been relaxed and fans have been allowed to rejoin races in numbers.
Seven drivers have tested positive so far: Hamilton, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly, McLaren’s Lando Norris, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Raikkonen.
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