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'Disgraceful': Motorsport world divided by F1's vaccine mandate

Seen here, F1 legend Lewis Hamilton at the 2021 Abu Dhabi grand prix.
The F1 has introduced a vaccine mandate to come into effect for the 2022 season. Pic: Getty

Motorsport fans have been left divided over the decision by Formula One to introduce a vaccine mandate for the 2022 season.

F1 decision-makers have announced that it will be mandatory for all personnel working in its paddock to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, without exemption.

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The mandate will apply to anyone entering the paddock - an exclusive area in which teams and drivers set up shop for a race weekend.

"F1 will require all travelling personnel to be fully vaxxed and will not request exemptions," a spokesperson said on Monday.

This will include all competitors, hospitality staff, members of the media, the governing FIA, Liberty Media-owned commercial rights holders FOM and even celebrity guests.

The mandate was approved at a December meeting of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council.

Formula One is set for a record 23-race calendar this year, with races such as Singapore, Japan, Canada and Australia, which had been cancelled for the last two years, set to return.

The 2022 season gets underway in Bahrain on March 20. Teams will run their cars at a pre-season session in Spain from February 23-25 and an official test session in Bahrain from March 10-12.

The new rules call into question the future of long-time medical car driver Alan van der Merwe.

The South African, who played a pivotal role rescuing Romain Grosjean from a fiery crash in the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, has chosen not to get vaccinated for personal reasons.

The FIA did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the vaccine mandate or Van der Merwe's future.

Officials are pictured here putting out a fire from Romain Grosjean's Haas at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Medical car driver Alan van der Merwe famously helped save France's Romain Grosjean during a fiery crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. Pic: Getty

F1's vaccine mandate divides fans

While many agree with the F1's decision to follow other sports such as the AFL by introducing a vaccine mandate, others argue it impinges on individuals' freedom of choice.

Many British motorsport fans are particularly aggrieved, following news the government is set to scrap similar mandates put in place for health care workers across the country's National Health Service (NHS).

Needless to say, F1's new directive has left motorsport fans at loggerheads, with some labelling the move "disgraceful".

with AAP

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