Hyundai junior driver Ole Christian Veiby and co-driver Jonas Andersson will miss this weekend’s Rally Portugal after Veiby tested positive for COVID-19.
Veiby, who is currently 11th in the WRC2 standings courtesy of a fifth place achieved on Arctic Rally Finland, had been competing on the Targa Florio earlier this month with fellow Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen, who also tested positive for COVID, helping him there.
“Unfortunately, I will not start Rally de Portugal,” Veiby said in a post on social media.
“I have tested positive for COVID-19, and in line with local regulations, I’m now self-isolating. Jonas has tested negative but is also self-isolating.
“I tested negative on Monday and tested again today according to regulations. I have no symptoms and feel fine, but of course I’m really disappointed we cannot start and very sorry for the team.”
Veiby had earlier taken part in the pre-event shakedown, setting the fifth fastest time in his Hyundai i20 R5.
It comes after a strong month for Veiby, who took victory on the Rali Terras d’Aboboreira in Portugal just two weeks ago. A week prior, Veiby finished second on Targa Florio in a Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC.
Veiby’s absence means that there will be just one Hyundai i20 R5 in Portugal this weekend, for Oliver Solberg.
