Mercedes could wait until Saturday before making call on Lewis Hamilton for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

World champion confident he will be ready for season finale but must return a negative Covid-19 swab before being allowed to take part

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix awards ceremony 2019: (L-R) Max Verstappen, (Red Bull), winner Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and third-placed Charles Leclerc of Ferrari. Victor Besa / The National

Daniil Kvyat driving the Scuderia Toro Rosso during the big race. Getty

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner talks with Bernie Ecclestone, Chairman Emeritus of the Formula One Group, on the grid before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Getty

Sebastian Vettel of Germany driving his Ferrari. Getty

Lance Stroll of Racing Point and Daniel Ricciardo of Renault walk to the drivers' parade before the Abu Dhabi race at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty

The amazing fly by over the grid before the Grand Prix started. Getty

They're off! Lewis Hamilton takes the lead at the start of the big race. Victor Besa / The National

Turn two at the start of the final race of the season. Victor Besa / The National

Race fans in the Main Grandstand. Victor Besa / The National

Awards Ceremony. Fireworks after the race. Victor Besa / The National

Fans at the awards ceremony. Victor Besa / The National

F1 fans at the awards ceremony. Victor Besa / The National

Lewis Hamilton performs a burnout victory spin after the Grand Prix at Yas. Victor Besa / The National

Pierre Gasly of Scuderia Toro Rosso at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty

Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari talks with Princess Charlene of Monaco on the grid before the F1 Grand Prix. Getty

Race winner Lewis Hamilton celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty

Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing prepares for the big race. Getty

Alexander Albon of Thailand and Red Bull Racing signs autographs for fans before the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit. Gett

Pierre Gasly of France and Scuderia Toro Rosso greets fans before final practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty

Fans take a selfie with the cars ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Reuters

The final race of the Formula 1 season goes off with a bang. Ministry of Presidential Affairs

HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (2nd L) and HE Mohammed Mahfoodh Al Ardhi, Executive Chairman of INVESTCORP and Chairman of National Bank of Oman (3rd L), at vrace day. Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing prepares for the race. Getty

Daniel Ricciardo of Renault leads Kevin Magnussen of Haas at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty

Lewis Hamilton gets ready for the off at Yas. Getty

The sun sets on the 11th Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty

Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes team are prepared to wait until Saturday to determine if their star driver is fit to take part in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Hamilton remains hopeful he will be able to complete his world championship-winning season at the concluding round this weekend.

The 35-year-old, who missed last Sunday's Sakhir Grand Prix after contracting coronavirus while on holiday in Dubai, revealed on Tuesday that he is back in training.

Hamilton must return a negative Covid-19 swab before he is allowed to travel to Abu Dhabi.

He is serving 10 days of quarantine in Bahrain, meaning the earliest he could possibly fly is Thursday. Practice for the concluding round starts on Friday.

But the PA news agency understands that the world champions will afford Hamilton as much time as possible so he can race.

Under FIA rules, Hamilton can be absent from Friday's two practice sessions, but must take part in either practice or qualifying on Saturday to be allowed to participate in the grand prix.

On Tuesday, the seven-time world champion posted a video, saying: "I know I've not been in touch this past week but it's definitely been one of the hardest weeks that I've had for some time.

"I've just been focusing on recovering and trying to get back in shape so I can get back in the car and race in Abu Dhabi.

"I woke up today feeling great and got my first workout in so I just wanted to send you guys a message of positivity, let you know I'm OK and thank every single one of you for sending me the amazing messages and videos. I really, really appreciate it. I hope that I can get back in the car soon."

Williams' George Russell stood in for Hamilton last Sunday and was on course for victory before a Mercedes pit-stop howler, and late puncture, derailed his chances of becoming only the fourth British driver to win a Formula One race this century.

Hamilton has won 11 of the 16 rounds staged this season and wrapped up his seventh title in Turkey last month.

_______________________________________________________________________

Gallery: Perez wins Sakhir Grand Prix