Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is back in training and reportedly set to return for Mercedes at this weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He will only get to participate, however, if he is deemed fit and tests negative for COVID-19.

Hamilton was absent from last week’s  Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain, where his replacement George Russell achieved his first points-scoring finish, coming in ninth. He has reportedly been given until Sunday to prove his fitness.

“We head into the final race looking for redemption after a disappointing race in Sakhir, where both George and Valtteri (Bottas) lost the opportunity to win,” said team chief Toto Wolff, as per AFP reports.

“The pit stop problem has uncovered an underlying problem with our intercom and we’ve put measures in place, both technically and in the way we operate, to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he reportedly added. 

The team’s blunder happened on Sunday when both drivers (Russell and Bottas) came in for new tyres and were sent out on the wrong ones.

Russell was forced to pit again, his attempts to gain victory undone by a late puncture.

“There are still some question marks over who will be in the car this weekend in Abu Dhabi,” said Wolff reportedly said.

“Lewis’s condition is improving, but we won’t know until closer to the time if he will be driving. We’ll do everything we can to get him in the car and we know he’s determined to be back as soon as possible, but his health is our main priority so we will see what the situation is and then make the call.”

Hamilton, who has been in self-isolation in Bahrain since his positive test, recently posted on social media that he felt “great” and had returned to training.  His 10-day quarantine period ends on Thursday.

To enter the United Arab Emirates this weekend, Hamilton reportedly requires four negative tests and approval from government officials. He will then join his team in their ‘bubbles’ on Yas Island, which is under strict lockdown.