Oliver Bearman will pull out from F2 weekend to make his F1 debut in Saudi Arabian GP to replace ill Carlos Sainz.
Sainz already had to pull out from the Wednesday media commitment due to undisclosed illness by Ferrari to start F1 Saudi Arabian GP. He took part in FP1 and FP2, but skipped media commitments again on Thursday apart from one TV appearance.
Ahead of FP3 and subsequent qualifying, Ferrari confirmed Sainz to have pulled out from the Saudi Arabian GP after being diagnosed with appendicitis. He will undergo surgery and take no further part, with reserve driver Bearman to replace him.
The F2 racer will not compete for Prema after taking pole position for the feature race in Saudi Arabia and instead will make his F1 debut alongside Charles Leclerc. It is unclear if other reserve drivers Antonio Giovinazzi and Robert Shwartzman are in Jeddah.
They both were racing last weekend in Qatar for Ferrari in FIA WEC. With Bearman on the F1 grid for Saudi Arabian GP, he will be the fourth British driver to race at the same time alongside Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Lando Norris.
Bearman will use #38 for his F1 debut – a race number which hasn’t been used thus far. “Carlos Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will require surgery,” read a short statement from Ferrari.
“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.”
UPDATE: Sainz has completed his surgery and is now on his way to recovery. “Carlos is out of surgery. Everything went well and he is now resting at the hospital. We’re sending him our full support for a quick recovery,” stated the F1 team.
Here’s what Carlos Sainz said after Thursday
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