The NIO 333 Formula E team has been sanctioned with a fine of 25,000 euros for failing to report a positive case of COVID-19 before the double event of the Valencia E-Prix.
According to a bulletin from the International Automobile Federation (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, FIA), NIO 333 did not immediately report the positive result to the COVID-19 delegate and “did not make any statements regarding potential unfit attendees.”
Instead, the stewards concluded that the initial contact with the hygiene board occurred “several hours” after the team owned by Li Sheng Racing first learned of the diagnosis.
The offense violates Articles 4.1 and 6.6 of Appendix S of the FIA International Sporting Code.
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Article 4.1 reads: “Any material non-compliance with the requirements of this COVID-19 Code must be reported without delay to the COVID-19 Delegate.”
Article 6.6 states: “Prior to each Part Two Event, if any circumstances arise that mean an attendee is not fit to attend the Part Two Event (e.g., he/she tests positive for the COVID-19 virus or he/she starts to suffer from any COVID-19 symptoms or he/she has any close contact with anyone suffering from COVID-19 symptoms), the attendee must not declare him/herself fit to attend.”
Background
Other positive high-profile COVID-19 cases were those of championship co-founder Alejandro Agag and Mahindra Racing team principal Dilbagh Gill when they both missed the final six races in Berlin last season after Formula E had a five-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
NIO 333 announced Thursday morning that it has adhered to the new Gen3 rules, committing it to Formula E until the end of the 2025-26 season.
Written by | Gabriel Sayago
