Carlos Sainz has been ruled out of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after the Ferrari driver was diagnosed with appendicitis.
Sainz had been unwell for several days in the lead-up to this weekend’s race but still took part in both practice sessions on Thursday.
However, the 29-year-old has now been replaced ahead of Friday’s final practice and qualifying after it was discovered he will require surgery.
British teenager Ollie Bearman will replace the Spaniard in Jeddah, becoming the youngest Britain to take part in a Formula 1 grand prix.
‘Carlos Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will require surgery,’ a Ferrari statement read.
‘As from FP3 and for the rest of this weekend, he will be replaced by reserve driver Oliver Bearman. Oliver will therefore take no further part in this round of the F2 Championship.
‘The Ferrari family wishes Carlos a speedy recovery.’
Bearman was already in Saudia Arabia and, on Thursday, secured pole in the F2 feature race.
The Brit is a reserve driver for Ferrari and Haas this year and made his F1 debut for Haas in the first practice at last October’s Mexican Grand Prix.
Ferrari have not issued a timeline for Sainz’s return who finished on the podium last week at the season-opening race in Bahrain.
Following the Saudi grand prix, there is a week’s break before the schedule resumes with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Sainz is set to leave the Italian team at the end of the season after they announced that Lewis Hamilton would be joining from Mercedes.
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