Breaking News: Ferrari's Surprise F1 Debut - Bearman Steps In for Sainz!
Ferrari Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz has been ruled out of the rest of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend and will be replaced by Ferrari protege Ollie Bearman. Sainz missed media day in Jeddah on Wednesday due to illness and although he returned for practice day on Thursday, he was still not fit to continue.
On Friday morning, Ferrari confirmed that Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will undergo surgery. This unexpected turn of events led to Bearman's early F1 debut, stepping in as Ferrari's reserve driver.
Bearman, a Ferrari junior since 2021, has shown promise in lower formulas, finishing sixth in his rookie F2 season last year and impressing in F3. He was already set for an F1 testing program with Haas and Ferrari in 2024.
With Sainz's timeline for return uncertain, Bearman's focus shifts solely to F1, starting with FP3 and his debut qualifying session. The young driver will skip the F2 races but is poised for a memorable F1 weekend in Jeddah.
Stay tuned for updates on Sainz's recovery and Bearman's performance as he embarks on this unexpected opportunity in Formula 1.