Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, victim of appendicitis, is out of the Saudi Arabian GP, scheduled for Saturday in Jeddah. The Spaniard will be replaced by the Briton Oliver Bearman.
Suffering for several days, Sainz will be operated on. Third last Saturday in Bahrain, he did not participate in the activities with the press on Wednesday and seemed to suffer on Thursday during the first two free practice sessions where he had nevertheless achieved good performances. He also took part in the third session on Friday but had to withdraw from the rest.
Third youngest driver
Bearman, who was to take part in the F2 race on the fast Saudi track, will finally compete in his first Grand Prix in F1 at only 18 years old. Sixth in the F2 championship last season, Bearman drove a Haas F1 last season during two free practice sessions in Mexico and Abu Dhabi.
He will become the third youngest driver to take part in a Grand Prix after Max Verstappen (17 years and 5 months in 2015) and Lance Stroll two years later (18 years and 4 months).
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ats/lper