Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the qualifying session at the Red Bull Ring racetrack in Spielberg, Austria, July 4, 2020. (DARKO BANDIC / AP)

SPIELBERG - All Formula One drivers, teams and personnel have tested negative for COVID-19 ahead of the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix, the sport said on Saturday.

Anyone entering the paddock at the Red Bull Ring must have a clean bill of health and is being tested every five days by private medical teams.

Sunday’s race, the first of two on successive weekends at the scenic Austrian circuit, is being staged without spectators and in tight health and safety conditions.

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Formula One said in a statement that 4,032 tests of drivers, teams and personnel were conducted between June 26 and July 2. It said aggregated information would be made public every seven days.

The season had been due to start in Australia in March but that race was cancelled due to the pandemic and after a McLaren employee had tested positive.

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