Carlos Sainz recently underwent surgery for appendicitis, describing the procedure as a “smooth operation” and extending his gratitude towards those who supported him during this time.
The Ferrari driver had to miss the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to this health issue, leading to Oliver Bearman, the Ferrari reserve, making his Formula 1 debut in Sainz’s absence.
Bearman, a British teenager, had an impressive start, stepping in for Sainz with minimal notice after qualifying on pole for the Formula 2 feature race in Jeddah.
Despite his brief preparation, Bearman showcased his talent by advancing to Q2 in the F1 qualifying session, narrowly missing Q3 by a mere 0.036 seconds, with only an hour’s practice in an unfamiliar car.
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The young driver, along with Sainz’s teammate Charles Leclerc and Ferrari’s team principal Fred Vasseur, wished Sainz a quick recovery.
Vasseur confirmed the surgery on Sainz’s appendix was successful, sidelining him for the race weekend.
Sainz expressed his thanks on social media for the swift assistance he received, particularly from the King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, and for the support from fans.
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He also congratulated Bearman on his commendable qualifying performance for Ferrari.
Leclerc is set to start the Grand Prix from the second position, trailing behind Max Verstappen, who secured the top spot in the last segment of the qualifying round.
The event highlighted the supportive nature of the Formula 1 community and the impressive adaptability and skill of emerging talent like Bearman, stepping into the spotlight under challenging circumstances.