SUMMARY
- Carlos Sainz will miss the Saudi GP due to appendicitis, requiring immediate surgery.
- Young Oliver Bearman steps in for Sainz, making his surprise F1 debut at 18.
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz impressed the Formula 1 community with his spectacular performance at the season-opener race in Bahrain last week. Unfortunately, the Spaniard will be absent from the forthcoming Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. Sainz Jr has been diagnosed with appendicitis and immediate surgery is required. However, he will be replaced by young Oliver Bearman in Jeddah.
In the past few days, Sainz had been experiencing discomfort and pointed out that Thursday’s practice posed a significant challenge for him in the SF-24 car. Initially, he blamed his unease on a stomach bug, but it was later discovered that he had appendicitis. The 29-year-old driver described his experience as, “one of my toughest days in a Formula 1 car.”
🇸🇦 Very difficult day for me as I haven’t fully recovered from the sickness that has kept me in bed the last 24 hours. Still, I made it to the track and maximized the time. Hopefully I will be fully recovered tomorrow to push the limits.
–#CarlosSainz pic.twitter.com/K7p9Lru5FO
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) March 7, 2024
A Ferrari spokesman interacted with the media offering insights into the latest development. They said, “Carlos Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will require surgery.” During this discussion, the team revealed Sainz’s replacement for Jeddah.
Oliver Bearman receives surprise F1 debut at 18
Young Bearman, one of the reserve drivers for Prancing Horse, was on the track competing in the Formula 2 round for Prema. Less than two months ago, Bearman was named one of the team’s reserve drivers. He had his first Ferrari test at the Fiorano track in October. Impressively, Bearman made appearances for Ferrari’s customer team Haas during practice sessions last year.
🚨 BREAKING:
Oliver Bearman will replace Carlos Sainz for the rest of the F1 weekend.#F1 pic.twitter.com/INDLHKc1vm
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) March 8, 2024
Born in 2005, Bearman demonstrated his talent by finishing 15th in first practice at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico. Hailing from Chelmsford and educated at King Edward VI Grammar School, Bearman joined Ferrari’s driver academy at the age of 16. After bagging the German and Italian Formula 4 championships, Bearman’s performances caught the attention of those at Maranello.
Despite initial opposition from his mother, Terri, he left school and his family home in Chelmsford to relocate to Modena. It was rather a strategic move given that it is at a short distance from Ferrari’s headquarters in northern Italy. Within two years, his Italian influence was reflected in his driving.
Carlos Sainz: Passionate farewell to Ferrari amid unexpected departure
In an interview with Esquire, Sainz disclosed his steadfast support for Ferrari, despite their choice to part ways with the driver by the close of 2024. This came as a direct consequence of Lewis Hamilton’s signing with the Maranello-based team in 2025. The 29-year-old driver shared his lifelong aspiration of driving for Ferrari and highlighted the exceptional love that the Tifosi has offered him in the last few years.
Carlos about driving for Ferrari:
“I would like to see it like that. I think that every driver who watched Formula 1 as a child dreamed, sooner or later, not only of being a driver in Formula 1 but of being a Ferrari driver. I was lucky enough to make it and even win two races-” pic.twitter.com/fbDAPF2YKj
— Carlos Sainz News (@CSainzNews_) March 2, 2024
He stated, “I believe that every driver who watched Formula 1 as a child dreamed, sooner or later, not only of being a driver in Formula 1 but of being a Ferrari driver. I was lucky enough to make it and also win two races.” Sainz’s stellar performance at Sakhir, finishing an impressive third behind Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, proved his determination.
However, the Spanish driver faces an uncertain future and must explore opportunities with other teams. His father, Carlos Sainz Sr seems to have undertaken the duty of earning him a seat for 2025 as he was spotted amidst a conversation with Christian Horner and Adrian Newey.