Carlos Sainz, Formula 1 driver for Ferrari, will not participate in the remainder of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend due to illness. In his place, young Ferrari talent Ollie Bearman will take the wheel. Sainz was absent from media day on Wednesday and, although he returned for practice day on Thursday, he still felt unwell. Ferrari announced on Friday morning that Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will need surgery. Bearman, who was already in Jeddah, was originally scheduled to start the F2 feature race on Saturday from pole position, but will now make his unexpected F1 debut. He will focus solely on F1, starting with FP3 and his first F1 qualifying session. Bearman will not participate in any of the F2 races and Prema will not name a replacement driver. The exact date of Sainz’s return has not been confirmed, as the next F1 race will take place in Melbourne in two weeks.
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