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Van der Merwe, 41, and F1 doctor Ian Roberts tested positive
independently for the coronavirus ahead of the race and did not
travel to Istanbul, with the FIA's Formula E crew standing in.
Both had been in the medical car at the previous Russian Grand
Prix in Sochi.
The South African said on Twitter it was the second time he had
contracted COVID-19 and he had not been vaccinated for personal
reasons.
"From what we understand, there are a couple of countries that
you probably won't be allowed to enter ... unless you're
vaccinated," Formula One's race director Michael Masi told
reporters on Sunday.
"You need to comply with those requirements to enter the country
and from that perspective the FIA obviously has to respect the
country's requirements to get in, as will all the teams and
everyone else."
Van der Merwe explained his position before the weekend,
indicating he had received abuse on social media for his stance
and would block those making personal attacks or wishing him
fired.
"I am fully aware that I will potentially be less employable or
that my freedom of movement will be restricted based on my
choices," he said on Twitter.
"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."
He said he would continue to observe public health guidelines,
reduce risk as much as possible, and respect the decisions of
others.
The remaining races this season are in the United States,
Mexico, Brazil, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.
"In Switzerland (I’m half Swiss) and other developed countries,
prior infection counts as much as a vaccine," said van der Merwe.
"I trust that those countries know what they’re doing, and also
respect countries’ more restrictive rules and not travel there.
"If you want to get vaccinated, do it. I’m pro-vaccine for those
that want and can have them."
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Ken Ferris)
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