A British teenager is set to make his F1 debut for Ferrari as Carlos Sainz withdraws from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to emergency surgery.
Sainz’s absence from the race in Jeddah this weekend comes after a diagnosis of appendicitis. Despite participating in Thursday’s practice sessions following missed media duties on Wednesday due to illness, Ferrari has confirmed Sainz’s need for surgery.
Taking his place on the grid will be 18-year-old British driver Oliver Bearman, who was recently confirmed as one of Ferrari’s reserve drivers. This marks Bearman’s first F1 race, making him the youngest driver ever to race for Ferrari, surpassing a record held since 1961.
A Ferrari statement announced Sainz’s diagnosis and the replacement: “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.”
Bearman, part of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2021, secured pole position in Formula 2 qualifying in Saudi Arabia on Thursday. In his debut F2 season in 2023, he finished sixth overall, winning three feature races and one sprint race.
This opportunity marks Bearman’s entry into the elite ranks of F1 drivers, becoming the 12th British driver to race for Ferrari and the first since Eddie Irvine in 2000.
Sainz’s absence follows his impressive third-place finish in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, with teammate Charles Leclerc coming fourth. Sainz is set to depart Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season, making way for Lewis Hamilton’s arrival from Mercedes.
