It turns out that Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz didn’t have to ask someone else to drive for him during the first two practice sessions for Sunday’s Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix. Sainz did well, ranking eighth in the first session and moving up to third in the second session at the Albert Park circuit on Friday.
Earlier this week, Sainz said he was ready to get back in the driver’s seat but wasn’t feeling his best after surgery for appendicitis. This kept him from racing in the March 10 event in Saudi Arabia.
“It’s been tough leading up to today, but I’m happy I could finish both sessions comfortably,” Sainz said. He plans to take it easy to be in top shape for qualifying on Saturday and Sunday’s race.
“I believe tomorrow will be better, the car seems good this weekend. We’ll try to do our best!” Sainz, 29, came in third at the season-opening Bahrain GP behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
Sainz, who won two F1 races and had 19 podium finishes, started his first F1 race at the 2015 Australian GP. He’s currently not under contract for next season, as Lewis Hamilton is set to replace him in 2025. There was a possibility he might have had to sit out for another race and be replaced by Ferrari’s reserve driver Oliver Bearman.
But Sainz showed no signs of post-surgery issues on Friday, clocking his fastest lap. His Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc was the fastest, followed by series leader Max Verstappen.
Ferrari confirmed that Sainz completed his run plan without any problems and would continue driving over the weekend. “I feel okay, a bit tired after practice, but I completed the whole program,” Sainz said. “I just need rest and recovery for tomorrow.”
