Sainz ruled out with appendicitis as Bearman steps in as replacement

Carlos Sainz has been ruled out for the remainder of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after being diagnosed with appendicitis that requires surgery, seeing Oliver Bearman set to replace the Spaniard for his F1 debut. 

In a statement released by Ferrari via their social media platforms, the team said:

“Carlos Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will require surgery. 

“As from FP3 and for the rest of this weekend, he will be replaced by reserve driver Oliver Bearman. Oliver will therefore take no further part in this round of the F2 Championship. 

“The Ferrari family wishes Carlos a speedy recovery.” 

Sainz’s symptoms had been impacting him since the start of the week, with the Spaniard skipping out on his pre-weekend media day duties due to the illness. 

Sainz was visibly poorly during what he called the “toughest” practice sessions of his career on Thursday, looking and sounding ill as he attempted to complete the team’s run plan.

Carlos Sainz on track during Thursday’s practice sessions at the Saudi Arabian GP. Image: Andy Hone / LAT Images.

Speaking after FP2 yesterday, Sainz said he’d had “a very rough last 24 hours”.

“So, happy to manage to do this Thursday and complete the run plan but for sure it’s been my toughest day in a Formula 1 car at such a demanding circuit with high G-Force.

“Having a stomach bug and being sick is not ideal but hopefully for tomorrow I do a step better and hopefully for Sunday I’m 100%, but I need some rest now.”

“It was a struggle in FP1 all the way to FP2, especially the long runs when you do some continuous laps, my stomach didn’t really like it you know.

“At least I got a first feeling with the car even if I couldn’t push it to the absolute limit.”

Bearman, who was set to start the Formula 2 Feature Race from Pole, will jump into the SF-24 for the first time this season in FP3, building up to the all-important qualifying session. 

Oliver Bearman took part in FP1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Haas last year. Image: Andy Hone / LAT Images.

The 18-year-old is a member of the Ferrari Academy, fulfilling his role as Ferrari Reserve Driver this weekend as he takes part in his first-ever Formula 1 Grand Prix. 

Bearman has previously participated in F1 practice sessions with Haas in Mexico City and Abu Dhabi last year, however, none on the scale of what will be expected of him come qualifying.

The British F2 driver competing with Prema Racing will call upon his simulation work and have FP3 to acclimatise to the SF-24 ahead of qualifying and the race. 

Bearman’s first run in the SF-24 will take place in just a few hours, with FP3 kicking off at 12:30 AM, AEST.

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