Following the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari–Formula 1’s Italian Giants–saw Carlos Sainz crossed the chequered flag at P3 at the Sakhir Circuit. The team has suffered a significant setback as Sainz is sidelined with appendicitis.
However, Carlos Sainz has now provided an update on his current health condition after a ‘smooth operation’ in Saudi Arabia.
Carlos Sainz shares update after operation
In Ferrari’s ‘fresh wound’ of his unexpected exit from the Saudi Arabian GP, Carlos Sainz has now found solace with his latest health update. The Ferrari #2 revealed in a post on X that he has successfully undergone a ‘smooth operation’ for his ailing appendicitis at the King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital in Saudi Arabia.
In his latest tweet on X, Carlos Sainz posted ‘post-surgery’ images of himself and his dad, Sainz Sr., who suffered from appendicitis as well back in his day. Luckily, both of the Sainzs recovered successfully from the disease, as stated in a ‘crystal clear’ fashion in the Spaniard’s caption, “SAINZ 2-0 APPENDICITIS.”
In an earlier tweet, he posted his first post-surgery message, expressing his relief and gratitude for the support he’s received.
“Underwent a smooth operation today and I’m feeling much better! Thank you for all your kind messages and to everyone that has looked after me these days here in Saudi, especially at the King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital. THANK YOU,” Sainz wrote.
Carlos Sainz is now in his recovery period following the surgery, while Oliver Bearman fills in for him at Ferrari, starting with the Saudi Arabian GP.
Oliver Bearman to replace Carlos Sainz at Saudi Arabian GP
On Friday (08/03/2024), Ferrari announced that Carlos Sainz was set to miss out the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, after being diagnosed with appendicitis which needed immediate surgery, and to be replaced by their academy driver, Ollie Bearman.
Bearman, born on May 8, 2005, currently serves as the reserve driver for Scuderia Ferrari and the Haas F1 team in Formula One. He has previously participated in two F1 FP1 sessions for Haas—prior to the FP3 session with Ferrari on Friday—at Mexico and Abu Dhabi in 2023.
Just hours after being called up, the 18-year-old rookie driver entered the racetrack for the first time as a Ferrari senior in the FP3 session, where he finished at P10 with a time of 1 minute and 29.306 seconds. In the qualifying rounds, he failed to enter Q3, falling short due to his Q1 (1:28.984) and Q2 (1:28.642) lap times.
Bearman, aged 18 years and 306 days, is ready to make his official debut in Formula One at today’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. This accomplishment will designate him as the youngest-ever driver for Ferrari and the youngest-ever British F1 driver.
Oliver will also become the 776th driver to participate in an F1 Grand Prix and the 97th to do so for Ferrari. Just a few days shy of turning 19, Ollie Bearman is on the verge of becoming one of the youngest F1 drivers to make their debut.
Ollie Bearman will make his official Formula 1 debut with Ferrari at 10AM today (USA time) at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Can Sainz recover fully before the next Grand Prix event in Australia? Can Bearman potentially move out Sainz from the #2 spot at Ferrari? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
