Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz will miss Saturday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after being diagnosed with appendicitis and will be replaced by 18-year-old reserve driver Oliver Bearman.
Sainz sat out Wednesday’s media duties after feeling unwell, though he did participate in both of Thursday’s practice sessions at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Sainz, who described Thursday as his “toughest” day in Formula One, initially thought he was suffering from a stomach bug, but his team confirmed he had been diagnosed with appendicitis on Friday.
Read our other sports news stories here:
Arsenal can still move through the gears, says confident Arteta
Manchester United: Hojlund lands player of the month award
Can Manchester United defeat Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter finals?
“Carlos Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will require surgery,” a statement issued by Ferrari read.
“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 wishes Carlos a speedy recovery.”
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 (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 8, 2024
This weekend’s race will mark Bearman’s full Formula One debut, though the British teenager did drive for Haas in first practice at the Mexican and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix last year.
He has been part of Ferrari’s Driver Academy since 2021 and claimed pole position in Formula Two qualifying in Jeddah on Thursday.
Sainz will now undergo surgery and Ferrari have not said when they expect him to return to the grid.
This season will be the Spaniard’s last with Ferrari after he failed to agree terms on a new contract with the team, who have struck a deal to pair Lewis Hamilton with Charles Leclerc starting in 2025.
Sainz finished third at the Bahrain Grand Prix last week, racing from P4 as Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari team-mate Leclerc struggled with their cars on the opening weekend of the campaign.
Welcoming the 776th @F1 driver to the grid, @OllieBearman! 👊
Ollie becomes the 97th driver to race in F1 for @Ferrari, using the number 38#SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/VmubDGNDbf
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 8, 2024
