Carlos Sainz will miss the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as the Spaniard will go under the knife to remove his appendix following a diagnosis that he has appendicitis.
The 29-year-old Spanish driver took part in FP1 and FP2 despite feeling very unwell. He also spoke to the media afterwards as he missed media duties on Wednesday afternoon in Jeddah.
Even though he clearly was not himself, Sainz placed P6 and P7 in the two practice sessions yesterday. It gives Oliver Bearman an incredible opportunity.
2024 had started promisingly for the two-time Grand Prix winner. He drove a solid and controlled race in Bahrain last week to finish P3, behind the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
As for Bearman, he took pole position in Formula 2 qualifying yesterday, but he will now be thrown into the deep end as he takes to the track later in FP3 and qualifying in the SF-24. Due to his F1 commitments, he will understandably not be taking part in the remainder of the F2 weekend.
Bearman will be the first driver in 52 years to make his first race start in F1 with Scuderia Ferrari. The last driver to have done this was Arturo Merzario at the 1972 British Grand Prix. The 18-year-old will also become the youngest ever driver to start a race for the iconic Italian brand in F1.
