Daniel Ricciardo: McLaren driver available to race at Bahrain Grand Prix after Covid all clear

Daniel Ricciardo is free to race the Bahrain Grand Prix

McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo is free to race the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend after recovering from Covid, the team have confirmed.

McLaren announced that Ricciardo has now returned a number of negative Covid tests and will therefore return to the paddock on Thursday.

The Australian driver is said to have been 'feeling better' each day, as he continued to recover in isolation while following local regulations in Bahrain.

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Ricciardo missed the final set of pre-season testing in Bahrain due to feeling unwell and subsequently testing positive for Covid.

"Better this week than next…" the Australian driver said in a message on social media. "Unfortunate to miss the test, but I'm starting to feel better."

Ricciardo's isolation meant that McLaren had to continue testing their new MCL36 with only Lando Norris at the wheel.

Norris finished the final day of testing with the ninth-fastest time - +1.471 behind Max Verstappen, who set the pace in Red Bull's RB18.

McLaren's testing was also hindered by problems with the car's breaks, which team principal Andreas Seidl admitted has put them "on the back foot".

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McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl explains how unexpected problems with the car's brakes have put the team on the back foot during Bahrain testing. 

The drivers' press conference for the season-opener will take place on Friday morning before both practice sessions later that day. Qualifying takes place on Saturday with the Grand Prix on Sunday, both with 3pm start times.

Follow the Bahrain GP live on Sky Sports F1

Sky Sports F1 is your home for every race this season, and it all starts with the Bahrain GP this weekend.

We will have build-up right through the week before covering all the action live from the Bahrain International Circuit, from Friday's first practice session through to Sunday's season-opening Grand Prix.

Sky Sports F1 experts Martin Brundle, David Croft, Damon Hill, Ted Kravitz, Simon Lazenby, Natalie Pinkham and Naomi Schiff will all be out in Bahrain bringing you unrivalled analysis and punditry.

In a 2022 twist, the drivers' press conference will take place on Friday morning before both practice sessions and our live F1 Show, recapping the action.

Saturday's qualifying and Sunday's race - both live at 3pm - will be followed by Ted's Notebook, while there is also the added boost of the Formula 2 and Formula 3 championships kicking off in Bahrain.

As always, you can also follow the action online and on the Sky Sports app.

A new era starts here. F1, at long last, is back.

The Formula 1 season begins on Friday on Sky Sports F1 with the Bahrain GP. Sunday's race starts at 3pm. Find out more & subscribe.