WATCH: Carlos Sainz attends Saudi Arabian GP despite being in postoperative care after appendicitis surgery

Sainz's injury gave the Ollie Bearman the best chance to showcase his racing prowess.

WATCH: Carlos Sainz attends Saudi Arabian GP despite being in postoperative care after appendicitis surgery

Carlos Sainz straggled a bit to walk in his Paddock visit (Via IMAGO)

Carlos Sainz was replaced by Ollie Bearman, a Ferrari reserve driver, for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Sainz was diagnosed with appendicitis, which necessitated surgery. The Spanish driver participated in the FP1 and FP2 sessions on Thursday and skipped his pre-weekend media duties to undergo the surgery, while Bearman completed the FP3 and Qualifying duties.

Bearman’s F1 debut came the same way as Nyck de Vries‘s in 2022. He took over for Williams driver Alex Albon, who had surgery for the same appendicitis issue before the Italian Grand Prix. Oliver Bearman though was cheered from the sidelines on his way to an impressive P7 finish by Sainz.

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I’m happy to be here to support Charles and Ollie. I will try to help the pit wall and engineers during a bit, to put together a good result for the team.

Sainz said before the race.

Spanish driver came up to support his teammate Charles Leclerc and Oliver Bearman, despite he was asked to take a rest during the grand prix. Sainz stated that he had come there to help up the team wall. To put a good result for the team and giving them his experience help while cheering for the team.

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Oliver Bearman showed character from the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

On the opening lap of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen made a lightning start to pull away from Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez. Ollie Bearman pursued Yuki Tsunoda‘s rear wheel. On his brand-new soft tires, the 18-year-old British driver looked extremely fast at first.

Carlos Sainz (L) and Oliver Bearman (R) (images via IMAGO).
Carlos Sainz (L) and Oliver Bearman (R) (images via IMAGO).

He engaged in a race with Tsunoda on the opening lap of his Formula 1 career. Before Red Bull’s Perez passed the Monegasque driver. Bearman’s temporary teammate Leclerc had a rough start to the race as three-time world champion Verstappen once again beat him off the line.

Bearman’s impressive point finish on debut was applauded by the whole F1 grid with Charles Leclerc giving him a special shoutout and Lewis Hamilton congratulating him during the cooldown lap. Ex-F1 champion Damon Hill even called him the next star of F1.

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