Due to appendicitis, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz will not be competing in the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix this weekend. Oliver Bearman, an 18-year-old British reserve driver, will take Sainz’s place.
In a statement, Ferrari said, “Carlos Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will require surgery. As from FP3 and for the rest of this weekend, he will be replaced by reserve driver Oliver Bearman. Oliver will therefore take no further part in this round of the F2 Championship.”
Carlos Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will require surgery.
As from FP3 and for the rest of this weekend, he will be replaced by reserve driver Oliver Bearman. Oliver will therefore take no further part in this round of the F2 Championship.
The Ferrari family… pic.twitter.com/zePBeZlJED
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 8, 2024
Despite having been ill for a few days, Sainz participated in free practice on Friday to prepare for the season’s second race on Saturday.
Bearman, who was scheduled to take part in the F2 race on the Saudi track, will now compete in his maiden Formula One Grand Prix.
F1 also confirmed the news in a tweet on its X, previously Twitter, account. The post reads, “Oliver Bearman is set to make his F1 debut stepping in for Carlos Sainz. Carlos has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will require surgery. Get well soon Carlos.”
Oliver Bearman is set to make his F1 debut stepping in for Carlos Sainz.
Carlos has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will require surgery.
Get well soon Carlos 🙏#F1 #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/STXRHNgTDu
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 8, 2024
Sainz secured vital points for Ferrari in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, finishing third to secure a podium finish for the Italian racing giants behind a Red Bull 1-2, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez leading the Spaniard to the finish line.
