Szafnauer on Pérez's trip to Mexico: 'He did nothing wrong'

After the announcement of his positive test for Coronavirus, Sergio Pérez explained in a video shared on social networks that he had recently gone to Mexico to go to the bedside of his mother, the victim of an accident and hospitalized. 

The Fathers of Virtue were still quick to criticize the choice of the Racing Point driver, accusing him of negligence and non-compliance with the health protocol put in place by the F1. Some people were particularly concerned about the fact that Pérez might not have warned his team of his actions during the week off between Budapest and Silverstone.

« There is no clause in his contract indicating that he must ask us for permission to travel to Mexico, replied Szafnauer when asked for details about this trip to the risk zone. 

His family is in Mexico so it's no surprise he returned home. He's used to doing this regularly since he's been with us.

We talked about how he was going to travel, however, and we agreed that it would be by private plane. There is no problem with that. 

It's always easy to be right afterwards. Many people live in risk areas. A large part of our staff lives in Northampton for example, but the city was also confined. Our philosophy is to adopt all necessary security measures. 

We need to retrace our steps and see how Checo was contaminated to make sure the scenario doesn't repeat itself.

He didn't do anything wrong by going to see his family. He took precautions. His situation is no different from that of employees Ferrari returning to Italy for example ». 

Szafnauer also revealed that the two people who traveled with Pérez, his personal assistant and coach, had been placed in isolation even though they had tested negative. 

« There are also 3 other members of the team who supported Checo during a session in the simulator, said the American manager. They have not been in contact with him because the control center is located in a different room. And then we practice physical distancing and have made wearing masks and safety equipment mandatory. 

These 3 people also tested negative. They now work from the factory. We'll see if we get them back into the paddock again after another screening ». 

The Covid-19 code of conduct put in place by the FIA ​​does not prohibit members of the different F1 bubbles from leaving the racing biosphere when the rounds do not follow from one weekend to the next. 

Between the Austrian and Styrian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc et Valtteri Bottas had hit the headlines when returning home to Monaco, the Ferrari driver receiving a federal reprimand for having been photographed with fans without a mask or distancing.