Ferrari’s Sainz to miss Saudi Arabian GP with appendicitis

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz will miss the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after being diagnosed with appendicitis following Thursday's testing sessions.

He will be replaced by Oliver Bearman, 18-year-old Ferrari reserve driver, who was due to race in Formula 2 this weekend in Saudi Arabia.

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Sainz missed Wednesday's media day in Jeddah after feeling unwell and, before his diagnosis, he completed a limited number of practices on Thursday with the intention of conserving his strength ahead of Friday's qualifying and the race in SATURDAY.

However, ahead of the final free practice session on Friday, Ferrari revealed that Sainz had been diagnosed with appendicitis, requiring surgery which would rule him out of this weekend's event.

Bearman, who will make his F1 debut in place of Sainz, was named Ferrari's reserve driver in January this year.

The British driver joined Ferrari's driver academy in 2021 and took part in his first F1 testing sessions with the Haas F1 team in Mexico and Abu Dhabi last year. On January 31 this year, he took part in a Ferrari test with a two-year-old car in Spain.

On Thursday, Bearman qualified on pole position for this weekend's F2 main race, but will no longer participate in the remainder of the F2 weekend in order to fully concentrate on F1.

He will become the first driver to make his F1 debut with Ferrari since Arturo Merzario made his debut with the Italian team at the 1972 British Grand Prix.

“Carlos Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will require surgery,” a Ferrari statement said. “From FP3 and for the remainder of this weekend, he will be replaced by reserve driver Oliver Bearman.

“Oliver will therefore no longer participate in this round of the F2 Championship. The Ferrari family wishes Carlos a speedy recovery.”