Carlos Sainz Jr from Ferrari returned to the paddock the day after undergoing an appendicitis surgery. This happened on 03/09/2024 during the Formula 1 World Championship, specifically the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Race Day.
Frederic Vasseur, team principal of Ferrari Formula 1, expressed optimism about Carlos Sainz’s ability to participate in the Australian Grand Prix. However, the final decision will be made next week.
Carlos Sainz’s media obligations before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix were canceled due to his illness. Despite this, he chose to participate in the practice sessions. Before FP3, it was announced that Sainz had been diagnosed with appendicitis and would need surgery, preventing him from competing in Jeddah.
Carlos Sainz’s absence unexpectedly provided Oliver Bearman with the opportunity to make his F1 debut. The British rookie had an exceptional performance, securing a seventh place.
Reflecting on the events of the weekend, Frederic Vasseur admits that Ferrari was not aware of the severity of Sainz’s illness until he visited the hospital.
“It was a peculiar situation,” Vasseur recalled. “At the beginning of the weekend, we believed it was food poisoning. He struggled during the two Thursday sessions, with fever and stomach issues. He was convinced he would feel much better the next day.
“However, the next day, he called me in the morning to inform me that he would probably miss FP3. He assured me he would be there for qualifying and, at 11:30, he was at the hospital. It became clear we were not going in the right direction. Thanks to the hospital in Jeddah and everyone involved in the organization, the surgery took place yesterday, Friday.
“I visited him this morning and he was completely fine. He was present today, although he was in pain. He is trying to walk, but his recovery is significant. Now, our focus is on Melbourne. He needs to have a smooth recovery this week and we will see what happens next.”
Vasseur believes that Sainz’s presence in the race was a positive development and Ferrari will give him enough time to determine when he can return to action. When asked about Sainz’s recovery timeline, Vasseur admitted that he did not have that information. However, he expressed his satisfaction with Sainz’s progress so far, stating that the fact that he could join the team for the race was a promising sign and a great support for them. Vasseur added that they will fly back together the next day and have a full week of rest before deciding when Sainz should travel to Melbourne. Despite the uncertainty, Vasseur remained optimistic about the situation.
Vasseur praised Sainz for his initial attempt to overcome the pain on the fast-paced track in Jeddah, highlighting his impressive performance given the circumstances. The Frenchman mentioned that it is probably a characteristic of the Sainz family that he could not convince Carlos to leave the car. When Sainz arrived on Thursday morning and did not feel well, he decided to try and ended up completing the full session in the afternoon. Vasseur emphasized how amazing it was that Sainz managed to perform so well despite feeling completely exhausted just half an hour after the session. He also mentioned that Sainz had a very good pace in both FP1 and FP2, being able to even do a long run, which was truly remarkable. However, Vasseur reiterated the importance of focusing on Sainz’s future and prioritizing his recovery instead of pressuring him to perform. He expressed his wish for Sainz to take the necessary time to recover properly and make the right decision for himself, recognizing that Sainz is a capable adult to make that choice.
© 2024
Portugal wins Euro 2020 in thrilling final against France
The Portuguese national football team won the Euro 2020 in a thrilling final against France. The match, played at Wembley Stadium in London, ended in a 2-2 draw in regular time and extra time. In the penalty shootout, Portugal won 5-4, securing the unprecedented title for the country.
The game started with France opening the scoring just 15 minutes into the first half, with a goal from Mbappé. Portugal reacted and equalized in the 32nd minute with a beautiful shot from Ronaldo. The match remained balanced, with opportunities for both teams, but the score remained level until the end of regular time.
In extra time, France once again took the lead with a goal from Pogba in the 99th minute. It seemed like the title was in the hands of the French, but Portugal did not give up. In the 109th minute, Silva equalized the game again and took the decision to penalties.
In the penalty shootout, Portugal was more efficient and converted all five penalties. France missed one, securing the victory for the Portuguese. Goalkeeper Rui Patrício was the hero of the match, saving one of the French penalties.
With the Eurocup victory, Portugal establishes itself as one of the great powers of European football. The Portuguese national team, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, had a brilliant campaign throughout the tournament, showing a lot of determination and grit.
The victory also represents a historic milestone for Portuguese football, which had never won a European title. Emotions ran high among the players and fans, who celebrated with a lot of joy and festivity.
Euro 2024 will be remembered in history as one of the most exciting and contested tournaments of all time. The final between Portugal and France was a true spectacle, with twists and turns and a lot of emotion until the last minute.
Now, all eyes turn to the next edition of the Eurocup, which will be held in 2028. Portugal enters as one of the favorites for the title, with a strong and experienced team. The Portuguese national team has shown that they have the potential to stay at the top of European football and compete for more victories.
