Ferrari confirms Sainz to miss Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to appendicitis surgery
Ferrari confirms that Carlos Sainz, the Ferrari driver from Spain, will be unable to participate in the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix because he is undergoing surgery for appendicitis. The official communication from the Italian team, cited by RIA News, states that Sainz has received a medical diagnosis requiring surgical intervention and will be out for the remainder of the event weekend.
The team’s update notes that a replacement driver has been arranged. Oliver Berman, serving as the reserve driver, will step in from the third free practice session and continue through the end of the weekend to ensure the entry for Ferrari remains competitive and compliant with scheduled sessions and practice requirements.
In separate headlines from the sport, a long-standing historical mystery resurfaced in England with the recovery of a red Ferrari Testarossa that had been linked to Austrian Formula 1 legend Gerhard Berger. The vehicle’s disappearance spanned decades, and its reappearance prompted renewed attention to historic car recovery cases within the F1 community. London police sources indicated that the car was valued at approximately 350,000 pounds at the time of recovery. Investigative remarks from Police Constable Mike Pilbeam, who led the inquiry, highlighted that the car had been considered lost for more than 28 years before officials located it and recovered it within a four-day period, sparking renewed interest in post-race memorabilia and archival assets tied to the sport.
Additionally, another leadership development from the Formula 1 world is noted. A former president of a Formula 1 team stepped away from his role amid a harassment-related controversy. The departure marked a significant moment for the organization, underscoring ongoing conversations about conduct and governance within the sport. The statements around these events reflect the broader pressures and accountability standards present in modern Formula 1, where teams, drivers, and executives navigate performance demands alongside ethical and professional expectations.
As the Saudi event approaches, the focal point remains on Sainz’s health, the team’s preparation, and the performance strategy of Ferrari in the absence of their Spanish driver. The situation illustrates how medical conditions can affect team lineups and plan execution across a high-stakes race weekend, with reserve drivers stepping into the breach to maintain continuity. Observers and analysts will be closely watching how Ferrari adapts its on-track strategy, car setup, and pit-stop operations to maximize the potential of the remaining sessions and the race itself, while keeping a respectful view of the athlete’s recovery process. All updates are subject to confirmation from team communications and official race organizers, with ongoing coverage expected as the weekend unfolds. Attribution: RIA News