“It’s a huge recovery,” Fred Vasseur reveals Carlos Sainz’s prospects to return to F1 after medical surgery

Carlos Sainz went under immediate surgery due to appendicitis but was still present in the Ferrari garage during the Saudi Arabian GP.

“It’s a huge recovery,” Fred Vasseur reveals Carlos Sainz’s prospects to return to F1 after medical surgery

Fred Vasseur (L), Carlos Sainz (R) (Via: Imago)

The Saudi Arabian GP was full of surprises for the Ferrari Crew. Carlos Sainz suffered from appendicitis after the initial two practice sessions and had to undergo surgery. Following this, F2 driver Oliver Bearman filled in the seat of the Spaniard for the race. The debutant rejoiced on scoring points on his debut race in Formula 1. Hence, Fred Vasseur shared his opinion on Sainz’s illness and condition during the weekend.

Vasseur recalled the initial two practice sessions and how it was ‘strange’ to see the 29-year-old suffering from the illness. However, the crew at Maranello considered the illness to be related to food poisoning. Subsequently, the driver suffered from issues during FP1 and FP2 and missed out on the FP3 but assured the team principal that he would be present for the qualifying session for the Saudi Arabian GP.

Yeah, it was a strange situation at the beginning of the weekend, We were convinced that it was a food intoxication... He called me in the morning that he would probably miss FP3 but he’d be there for quali, for sure.

Vasseur said, as reported by planetf1.com.
YouTube video

The surgery was successful and the driver did not take long to recover from the illness. This was evident as Sainz was present at the circuit, rooting for Bearman in the second Ferrari seat. Hence, Vasseur asserted that the team would now be focusing on the upcoming Australian GP. The driver was still struggling from the surgery, but the 29-year-old had a ‘great recovery’ according to the Frenchman.

FS Video

This morning [Saturday], I visited him and he was completely okay. Okay, he has the pain and he is struggling to work, but it’s a huge recovery. Now we have to be focused on Melbourne. He needs to have a good rest this week and we’ll see next week.

The next race will be held in Melbourne after a week’s break. Hence, Carlos Sainz can utilize this time to recover from the surgery and illness. Vasseur explained that the Spaniard would fly with the team principal. Additionally, the final call for the driver racing at the Australian GP will be taken when he has to fly back to the continent during the race weekend.

Now, he will fly back with me tomorrow and have one week of complete rest. We’ll take a decision on when he has to fly to Melbourne in one week’s time, but I’m quite optimistic.

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Carlos Sainz gives update on surgery after missing Saudi Arabian GP

The driver underwent a quick surgery at the King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital and was present at the Saudi Arabian GP. Hence, it is assumed that the Spaniard will make a quick recovery before the next weekend and be available to return back to scoring great points in the 2024 season. The 29-year-old took to Instagram to share updates about the entire surgery and his healing process from the condition.

Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz (via IMAGO).

Sainz mentioned how he was ‘very happy’ to be back and healed from the surgery. Additionally, the driver had a hilarious comment about the operation and called it a ‘smooth operation’. Subsequently, the 29-year-old thanked the staff at the hospital and how they worked hard to get him in a ‘decent’ form before visiting the race weekend. 

Very happy to be back in the paddock today after a really good operation, smooth operation in the hospital yesterday. Everyone did an amazing job to get me back in decent form again and I'm feeling a lot better. Just now my focus is on trying to be ready for the next race hopefully.
Sainz said on Instagram

Hence, the driver would likely recover entirely from the illness and make a great comeback at the Australian GP. Due to this, Sainz missed out on crucial points in the drivers’ table and hence would need to score great points to continue the challenge with his teammate. The Spaniard has his final chance at racing for Maranello and would be need to find a new team following Lewis Hamilton‘s Ferrari arrival in 2025.

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