Carlos Sainz Jnr will not take part in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend, his team have confirmed.
His place will be taken by the team’s reserve driver Oliver Bearman who will make his Formula 1 debut this weekend.Sainz, who finished third in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix last week, has been diagnosed with appendicitis and is to undergo surgery. “The Ferrari family wishes Carlos a speedy recovery,” said the team in a statement.
“As from FP3 and for the rest of this weekend, he will be replaced by reserve driver Oliver Bearman,” the team continued. “Oliver will therefore take no further part in this round of the F2 championship.”
Bearman, one of the team’s three reserve drivers, was at the track competing in the Formula 2 round for Prema. He will take no further part in the weekend and instead take over Sainz’s SF-24 from the final practice session which starts at 1:30pm local time.
The 18-year-old was named one of the team’s reserve drivers just two months ago. He had his first test for Ferrari at its Fiorano test track in October.
He made two appearances for Ferrari’s customer team Haas during practice sessions last year, impressing them with his performance. Bearman tested again for Ferrari earlier this year in their 2022 car.
However he endured a difficult start to the new F2 season as his Prema team was off the pace in Bahrain, and Bearman failed to score a point. He began the Jeddah weekend in better shape, taking pole position for tomorrow’s feature race, which he will no longer take part in.
Ferrari’s other two F1 reserves are Robert Shwartzman and former Alfa Romeo driver Antonio Giovinazzi. Both drive Ferrari’s 499P hypercar in the World Endurance Championship and were in action at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar last weekend.
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2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
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- Bearman calls Ferrari debut a “dream” but admits “I made a lot of mistakes”
oweng (@oweng)
8th March 2024, 11:49
Wow what an opportunity for the young lad. Good luck to him.
Jere (@jerejj)
8th March 2024, 11:50
I initially assumed he’d merely sit out as a precaution, as I thought he was only sick (with flu or something) on Wednesday, so the same outcome as with Albon on the 2022 Italian GP weekend came as a surprise.
Nevertheless, what a coincidence that two current full-time drivers (& a former full-timer Vandoorne elsewhere) fall into the same category, but hopefully, no more in the future.
Admittedly, just reading the headlines, let alone articles on this matter, is a struggle for me.
As for Bearman, I didn’t realize he already had a valid super license, so I guess he reached the 40 minimum with last year’s F2 final championship position.
MichaelN
8th March 2024, 11:53
That 6th place is 10 points, and with his F4 (12; 2021) and F3 (20; 2022) means he has just enough.
MichaelN
8th March 2024, 11:50
Interesting! Smart decision for Sainz; no reason to do anything crazy – especially at a track like this.
Mark (@blueruck)
8th March 2024, 12:16
Sainz didn’t have an option, his life is at risk if he doesn’t have surgery :)
MacLeod (@macleod)
8th March 2024, 12:29
I think Sainz will be glad that the doctors discover it in time because if it burst hé could die and racing would trigger an erruption very fast.
Now we will see how bearman handle a F1 race.
BasCB (@bascb)
8th March 2024, 14:04
Yeah, sure, Sainz will not be happy about having to deal with this, but there is nothing one can do apart from just getting under the knife and then recovering ASAP.
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
8th March 2024, 11:54
Excellent opportunity for Bearman. Prema must be secretly gutted to lose their poleman. I guess neither Shwartzman or Giovinazzi were in town?
Jere (@jerejj)
8th March 2024, 12:00
He could still do the F2 races, or at least timing-wise, he’d be able to if he had motivation to do so much driving on these two days.
BasCB (@bascb)
8th March 2024, 12:12
Pretty sure F2 doesn’t allow a driver to do that though @jerejj
Jere (@jerejj)
8th March 2024, 12:50
I’ve never heard or read about such a rule, but interesting assuming that’s the case.
anon
8th March 2024, 16:29
@eurobrun the sporting regulations for Formula 2 specify that teams have to give a minimum notice period of two days before the start of the event – as this change has occurred after that deadline, Prema can’t introduce a replacement driver.
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
8th March 2024, 11:57
Hopefully for Carlos it should be a begning operation and he’ll be ready for the next race.
Good Luck to Bearman, a bit of a shame for F2 but what a great opportunity for him!
It won’t be easy for him, especially on that track but at least he’s got FP3 to acclimatize before qualifications.
Jere (@jerejj)
8th March 2024, 12:02
He should be able to fully recovery in time for the Australian GP, just like the lead time between the 2022 Italian & Singapore GPs was enough for Albon.
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
8th March 2024, 18:34
Albon’s operation was anything but straightforward…it was cruel having Singapore as the next round! I hope for Carlos it’s easy and painless.
If Red Bullfrog Racing ever gets an F1 entry, both my drivers will have their appendix out during the off season, so it doesn’t interfere with any race weekends.
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
8th March 2024, 11:59
What if he absolutely thrashes Max and Ferrari say
“Sorry Lewis – changed our minds” :)
Seriously – best wishes to Carlos and a speedy recovery.
You were one of the very few points of interest last weekend Sir!
sinewave (@sinewave)
8th March 2024, 12:20
That would probably be one of the most expensive “sorries” in the history of motorsport.
slowmo (@slowmo)
8th March 2024, 12:40
Apart from the fact there is zero chance of that happening, it would also probably raise more questions about why Leclerc couldn’t easily beat Sainz if he was so good. I think it would make Ferrari more likely to regret signing Leclerc than it would their signing of Hamilton. Also Hamilton will bring in way way more sponsorship money than any rookie, no matter how good they are and ultimately that likely factored in the decision to sign Hamilton.
notagrumpyfan
8th March 2024, 12:58
I think questions will be asked if he beats or matches Leclerc.
No sorry required, but a detailed review of Leclerc’s contract will be expedited.
anon
8th March 2024, 16:49
@nullapax as others note, the scenario is rather unrealistic – however, since that would also suggest he was out-performing Leclerc in such a scenario, it’d probably actually do more damage to the reputations of Leclerc and Sainz, given they are the incumbent drivers at Ferrari.
Leclerc in particular would probably see his reputation diminished, given he’s been positioned as the leading light of Ferrari and, as he enters into his sixth season with Ferrari, is one of their longest serving drivers in terms of number of races driven.
BasCB (@bascb)
8th March 2024, 11:59
Wow, that is a huge opportunity for Bearman! For Sainz – get better soon.
Even feeling unwell, he looked more poised in the car then Leclerc once again this weekend, as he did last week. This might put any thoughts he might have had about having a shot in the championship, or at beating Leclerc over the season away, but maybe that is for the better since Ferrari would have had to get itself tangled in confusing bends to pretend they would not start to favour Charles at some point in the season.
wsrgo (@wsrgo)
8th March 2024, 12:09
@bascb Huh? Leclerc outqualified Sainz last weekend and had a far, far worse braking issue than simply overheating that Carlos did.
notagrumpyfan
8th March 2024, 13:01
Or Carlos managed it better and complained less.
Leclerc is known to be a better qualifier than Sainz (and most others), but on a ‘Sunday’ it is not that clear who is the better of the two.
wsrgo (@wsrgo)
8th March 2024, 14:05
Interesting. So when Leclerc has an issue he’s overreacting, whereas when Lewis has an issue (like in 2016) it’s sabotage. Good to know.
notagrumpyfan
8th March 2024, 15:06
Didn’t say that! I merely raised the possibility that Sainz ‘complained less’.
But I guess that still triggered you overreacting ;)
whataboutism anybody?
AlexS
8th March 2024, 14:42
Not clear? Maybe you should look at when they fought each other on track.
notagrumpyfan
8th March 2024, 15:09
I do, every race since both started in F1.
Last week it was Sainz.
The past couple of years it has been both on different occasions.
And also when not fighting each other it has been a mixed bag.
All in all it is not that clear who is the better of the two on a ‘Sunday’ (i.e. during the race).
Thank you for asking me to repeat myself :P
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
8th March 2024, 21:11
If a driver is being realistic, he won’t think about the championship this season unless he is verstappen: perez should know he doesn’t have the speed to compete and the others should know they don’t have the car, and most of those neither the car nor speed.
DB-C90 (@dbradock)
8th March 2024, 12:08
Well Charles will be relieved – can’t be beaten by Sainz this weekend.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
8th March 2024, 21:13
Well, being beatend by bearman would be a worse look at the latter’s first race!
Alan Dove
8th March 2024, 12:09
That means 2024 shall not go down as the first season with no debutant drivers.
Jonathan Parkin
8th March 2024, 14:06
Although we need to wait a bit. He needs to be on the grid for the start that becomes the race to technically make his debut. If he DNS’s on the formation lap with an electrical problem for instance it won’t count
Tommy Scragend
8th March 2024, 16:37
It wouldn’t count as a race start, true, but it would count as an “entry”.
A driver has entered the GP weekend if he has attempted to qualify for the race.
Lewisham Milton
8th March 2024, 18:16
even if it’s not the weekend yet.
ppzzus (@ppzzus)
8th March 2024, 12:12
Am I the only one who thinks this is a poor decision? This track has one of the highest penalties for accidents on the calendar. Would much rather have Antonio Giovinazzi in the car imo.
I hope I’m wrong.
Mark (@blueruck)
8th March 2024, 12:18
He is elsewhere racing this weekend – Bearman was the only reserve available and he was trackside.
rprp
8th March 2024, 12:20
They chose a reserve driver, and it’s good to see them actually honouring it, rather than being exposed for having pay drivers as reserve drivers, only to never give them the shot when they are needed.
Pat Ruadh (@fullcoursecaution)
8th March 2024, 12:32
Could have tried to wrangle Hulk into the car and Bearman into the Haas given that’s where he will likely be next year
Jere (@jerejj)
8th March 2024, 12:54
@fullcoursecaution I wouldn’t consider that a likelihood in any case, especially as Haas clearly prefers experienced drivers these days.
notagrumpyfan
8th March 2024, 13:03
Haas prefers cash. All the rest is of minor importance.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
8th March 2024, 21:15
I don’t think so, they replaced mazepin and schumacher, they both had plenty of money with a father worth 3 billions and the other one worth several hundreds of millions.
GeeMac (@geemac)
8th March 2024, 12:33
Wow, has anyone ever been handed such a golden opportunity to make an impact on their F1 debut? A seat in a front running car, a Ferrari no less, with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
I rate Bearman highly so this will be absolutely fascinating!
slowmo (@slowmo)
8th March 2024, 12:41
With any luck he’ll take out Verstappen at the first corner if he qualifies near the front.
BasCB (@bascb)
8th March 2024, 14:06
I’d rather see Leclerc do that @slowmo, then we can have Bearman on his first podium behind Russel and Perez!
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
8th March 2024, 21:16
Charles, execute order 38!
Crawliin-from-the-wreckage (@davedai)
8th March 2024, 12:42
Awesome his childhood dream fulfilled at such an early age.
Deerhunter
8th March 2024, 12:43
It’s one hell of an opportunity for Bearman, but given the level of competition in F2 this year, missing even just one weekend could deal a serious blow to his championship bid.
Hope this works out well for him.
I have an opinion
8th March 2024, 13:03
Giving a good account of your ability in a single F1 race is worth more than a whole season of F2. He’d be crazy to pass up this opportunity.
notagrumpyfan
8th March 2024, 13:06
Indeed, just look at De Vries.
Pete
8th March 2024, 13:21
Yeah absolutely – if he has a good race and shows he’s got pace, I think he’ll get an offer to drive for someone next year. It’s extremely rare for a youngster to get a chance to drive an F1 car as fast as they can. Usually they get a practice session with the engine turned right down and their focus is on getting the car back to the garage in one piece. This is a quali session and a full race.
BasCB (@bascb)
8th March 2024, 14:08
Yeah, this is just a huge opportunity. And looking at how he’s going from the first moment right now in FP3, he looks like he just builds on his great qualifying lap in F2 and going strong, he is right on the pace already.
notagrumpyfan
8th March 2024, 15:12
Based on FP3 I’d pick Bearman over Sargeant any day of the week.
BasCB (@bascb)
8th March 2024, 18:28
Immediately, yeah. He looks the goods.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
8th March 2024, 21:19
He did well, though I’m also shocked sargeant is still in f1, every race I get more and more shocked!
Dusty
8th March 2024, 12:55
Given the lack of familiarity with the car and f1 in general, and missed fp1 and fp2, I’ll be impressed with a q3 appearance. For the race I think the pace advantage of Ferrari over 6th team is enough for him to drive safely and pick up points available near Aston Martins.
At least he had a good warm up taking pole position in F1.
Ferrari of a few years ago would usually take Bottas or Hulk and let them have the rookie, as they did for example with Fisichella and Salo. Looks like Badoer was not available for this weekend…
Dusty
8th March 2024, 13:01
*F2.
And actually Salo wad not a full time driver in 99. I didn’t remember that.
MichaelN
8th March 2024, 17:04
He might as well have been, racing for BAR and scoring their best result of the year.
Still a shame he had to give up that win in Germany for Irvine.
sato113 (@sato113)
8th March 2024, 13:04
Do we know how many F1 laps bearman has done so far?
Pete
8th March 2024, 13:18
Good luck to him. Hope Carlos feels better soon but I’m delighted to see Bearman in his seat as it’ll give us something interesting to follow in the race.
Justin
8th March 2024, 13:24
Oliver Bear Man
Puts on galoshes
And sloshes
His way to the train
In London Rain
His picnic basket
Filled with to the brim
On a whim
with some marmalade toast
He likes it the most
On his way to Jeddha
To race an F1 car
He’ll be the first Bear Man
To be an F1 Star
Patrick (@paeschli)
8th March 2024, 14:11
Is it normal for young healthy adults to get appendicitis? First Albon, now Sainz…
MichaelN
8th March 2024, 14:36
Don’t know about this in particular, but in general athletes tend to be quite fragile. They’re putting enormous stress on their bodies, far more than regular fit people, and there isn’t a lot of buffer.
Sergey Martyn
8th March 2024, 15:04
Many of my classmates got their appendixes removed at the very early ages – 10-12 yo.
Crawliin-from-the-wreckage (@davedai)
8th March 2024, 15:41
Yes in my family experience it is.
Worse they put it down to stomach pain and put on a brave face. Then it ruptures and an emergency ambulance job.
Guess better nutrition and lifestyle means appendix aren’t removed ” as a matter of course” . Only removed when troublesome later in life, providing they don’t ignore signs and it can be too late.
In “the old days”
Born- circumcised
5-7 yo sore throat – out with tonsils and adenoids
Early teen -sore tum right side out with that appendix just in case.
There really was little or no real diagnosis, just rote procedures ,so later life appendectomy was rare.
Mark Sinclair
8th March 2024, 16:58
Bearman:
F2 – pole position, 1 min 42 secs
F1 – free practice FP3, 1 min 29 secs
sumedh
8th March 2024, 18:15
A debut with Ferrari. That doesn’t happen quite often :)
Just heard that Carlos’ surgery was good. That’s a relief.
Good luck Ollie. One of the few non-controversial yet interesting things to look forward to this weekend.
ludewig
8th March 2024, 18:32
I hope that Sainz will have a smooth operation!
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
8th March 2024, 18:37
Very good.