Carlos Sainz will not be able to participate in the Saudi Arabian GP due to a medical condition following his impressive performance at the season opener in Bahrain.
The Ferrari drivers were off to a strong start in the 2024 season, with both of them finishing in the top four at the Bahrain GP. The team had high hopes for the upcoming Saudi Arabian GP, but unfortunately, Carlos Sainz has been diagnosed with a serious condition and will be unable to race.
Carlos Sainz had a fantastic start to the season, securing a podium finish at the Bahrain GP. However, the Ferrari crew did not celebrate his achievement with much enthusiasm. Additionally, his teammate, Leclerc, faced several issues with braking during the race. Despite these challenges, both drivers performed well and had a fierce battle for the third position.
After the initial race weekend, the team had decent performances in the practice sessions in Saudi Arabia. However, it was recently revealed that Carlos Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will not be able to participate in the race. As a result, the current F2 driver for Prema Racing, Bearman, will step in for the 29-year-old Spaniard. It is worth mentioning that Bearman is also a part of the Mercedes junior team, along with another driver.
Sainz will have to undergo surgery to treat his condition and will require some time to recover. Bearman, on the other hand, will make his Formula 1 debut after racing in the F2 category. The team is now preparing to race with the debutant and aims to achieve strong results in Sainz’s absence.
The unexpected move of another driver to Ferrari has left Sainz without a seat in Formula 1 for the following year. He expressed his thoughts about the 2024 season and will conclude his final year with Ferrari after four years of racing together. Sainz also mentioned that there will be a timeline for confirming his job position in Formula 1, which will be announced soon. It is crucial for him to perform well in the 2024 season and potentially outshine his teammate, Leclerc, in order to secure a seat in a Formula 1 team for the next season. However, with these challenges, Sainz’s future in the pinnacle of motorsport is uncertain.
Nevertheless, Sainz is expected to recover quickly from the surgery and return to racing for the Australian GP. Ferrari is currently preparing for the race with their two drivers in Formula 1, taking into account Sainz’s absence. The Saudi Arabian GP will demonstrate the lessons the team learned from the season opener, and Leclerc will strive to achieve a victory in Formula 1 after a disappointing 2023 season.