• Mercedes driver leaves track after apparent allergic reaction • Team confident he will be fit for Sunday's race

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

Lewis Hamilton was at the centre of a health scare here on Thursday when he left the track early and returned to the team hotel.

A Mercedes team spokesman said he had suffered what appeared to be an allergic reaction and as a precaution had gone back to the hotel.

He is going to be seen by a doctor and expected to be at the track again on Friday. Mercedes denied that Hamilton is suffering from a virus and are confident he will be fit for Sunday's third race of the season.

Hamilton is running fourth in the championship following his controversial podium finish in the last race in Malaysia, when his team instructed Nico Rosberg – who was well-placed to overtake him – to remain in fourth place.

Mercedes are expected to be strong again in Shanghai, where Rosberg won the first race of his career a year ago.