De Quesada COVID-19 Positive; Skeen to Replace in Alegra Merc

Photo: Alegra Motorsports

Michael De Quesada has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not take part in today’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The 21-year-old has been replaced in the No. 28 Alegra Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo by Mike Skeen, who did not turn any laps in any of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship testing or practice sessions.

“Following IMSA event operations protocol he has left the premises and is self-isolating. We wish Michael well in his recovery,” a statement from the team read on Instagram.

De Quesada is first driver to officially contract COVID-19 during an IMSA event.

A statement from IMSA read: “Following the guidelines outlined in the event operations protocols manual, Alegra Motorsports has alerted IMSA that driver Michael De Quesada has tested positive for COVID-19 and will replace the driver for the Rolex 24.

“We wish Michael well in his recovery and will continue following federal, state and local guidelines to conduct this event in a safe and responsible manner.”

The late driver change was made Saturday morning, just hours before the start of the race, with the GT Daytona class entry having been required to complete an early race drive-through penalty for a driver change after the deadline for the official grid.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John