FIA medical car driver Alan Van Der Merwe will miss the final races of the 2021 FIA Formula One world championship season after the South African who is one of a handful of Formula One personnel not to be vaccinated against the virus contracted COVID-19 for the second time.
Van Der Merwe and Formula One medical delegate Dr Ian Roberts missed the last race in Turkey due to both men having contracted COVID-19. A storm has raged on Twitter in recent days due to the fact that Van Der Merwe is not vaccinated and the potential risks this caused to other personnel working within the Formula One community, however, as it has been pointed out it is Alan Van Der Merwe’s personal choice and as he admitted himself on Twitter could limit what he chooses to do in the future.
I am fully aware that I will potentially be less employable or that my freedom of movement will be restricted based on my choices. That I will not choose convenience over my own health does not mean I am making decisions out of selfishness. We all just want to be healthy.
— Alan van der Merwe (@alanvdm) October 8, 2021
Van Der Mer Merwe went on to say:
I’ll continue to adhere to public health guidelines, reduce risk as much as possible, and I’ll respect other’s decisions equally. There doesn’t need to be polarisation or hate involved with every discussion about masks or vaccines.
— Alan van der Merwe (@alanvdm) October 8, 2021
The South African/Swiss concluded:
In Switzerland (I’m half Swiss) and other developed countries, prior infection counts as much as a vaccine. I trust that those countries know what they’re doing, and also respect countries’ more restrictive rules and not travel there.
— Alan van der Merwe (@alanvdm) October 8, 2021