Carlos Sainz is missing from the starting grid for the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which takes place in Jeddah over the weekend of March 8-10.
The Spanish driver took part in practice on March 7 but struggled during the two sessions after feeling unwell in the build-up to the race weekend at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
The 29-year-old, who came seventh in the Drivers' Championship in 2023, has been replaced for qualifying and the grand prix by teenage reserve driver Oliver Bearman, who had been due to race in the F2 event over the same weekend.
Ferrari confirmed the news on March 8 and wished Sainz well in his recovery, although the team did not specify whether he is expected to be available for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne in two weeks' time.
The Sporting News looks at the latest on Sainz and the racing background of Ferrari debutant Bearman, a young British driver who has been making waves at racing's lower levels in recent years.
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Why is Carlos Sainz not driving today?
On March 8, prior to FP3 and the qualifying session for the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Ferrari announced that Sainz would not be involved for the rest of the race weekend after being diagnosed with appendicitis.
Confirming the Spanish driver would require surgery, the team said in a statement on social media: "As from FP3 and for the rest of this weekend, [Sainz] 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."
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 8, 2024Carlos Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will require surgery.
See AlsoWhy is Carlos Sainz not driving today? Oliver Bearman in for Ferrari driver for F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | Sporting News IndiaFrom childhood number plates to football heroes – Why each driver picked their F1 race number | Formula 1®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… pic.twitter.com/zePBeZlJED
Sainz had posted online the day before to describe his efforts during FP1 and FP2 in Jeddah as "very difficult", saying: "I haven't fully recovered from the sickness that has kept me in bed the last 24 hours. Still, I made it to the track and maximized the time. Hopefully I will be fully recovered tomorrow to push the limits."
Sainz updated fans with a picture from his hospital bed on the Friday, replicating a photo of his father, the storied rally driver, who also had to have appendix surgery as a younger man.
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) March 9, 2024SAINZ 2️⃣ - 0️⃣ APPENDICITIS
Thanks everyone for your messages these past 24h. I really feel your support.❤️ pic.twitter.com/y88CYxI7n6
Sainz, incredibly, then attended the paddock on Saturday ahead of the start of the grand prix.
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 9, 2024Wow 🤯
Carlos Sainz, just hours after surgery for appendicitis, is back at the track. Take it easy, Carlos 😍#F1 #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/LdirmWU3lx
MORE: Full F1 race schedule for 2024 season
Who is Oliver Bearman? F2 star making Ferrari debut in Saudi Arabia
Ferrari confirmed that Ollie Bearman would replace Sainz for the remainder of the race weekend at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Bearman, an 18-year-old from Chelmsford in Essex, England, was already in Jeddah for the F2 race weekend. He was set to start Saturday's F2 race from pole position after a strong qualifying run.
Bearman, who began competitive karting at the age of eight, joined the ADAC Formula 4 series back in 2020 and won the title a year later as part of the Van Amersfoort Racing team.
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 8, 2024Oliver Bearman is set to make his F1 debut stepping in for Carlos Sainz.
Carlos has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will require surgery.
Get well soon Carlos 🙏#F1 #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/STXRHNgTDu
After impressing in F3, Bearman's fast-tracked early career saw him signed by Prema Racing for the 2023 F2 championship. He ended the season in sixth place in the drivers' standings, having won races in Baku, Barcelona, and Monza.
Having been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy for two years, Bearman drove an F1 car for the first time during a testing session at Fiorano last October. He also impressed Haas when he took part in free practice sessions in Mexico City and Abu Dhabi last year. Haas and Ferrari each named him a reserve driver for the 2024 F1 season, along with Robert Shwartzman and Antonio Giovinazzi.
MORE: F1 2024 driver and constructor standings
How to watch the 2024 F1 season in the USA
ESPN's wide-reaching sporting network is showing every F1 race for US audiences in 2024, utilising Sky Sports' live broadcasts, and also showing some free-to-air circuits on ABC.
US-based F1 fans can also stream each race live usingFubo, which is offering aFREE trialright now, or useESPN+among other streaming options. Meanwhile,ESPN Deportes is the exclusive Spanish-language home for all F1 racesin the United States.
STREAM: F1 races on ESPN+ in the US
How to watch the 2024 F1 season in Canada
- TV channel:TSN (English);RDS / Noovo (French)
- Live stream:TSN Direct
For F1 fans in Canada, TSN are providing the English-language broadcast of each race, while RDS and Noovo are doing the same for French-speaking viewers.
Races can also be streamed through TSN's own streaming service, TSN Direct.
How to watch the 2024 F1 season in the UK
- TV channel:Sky Sports F1
- Live stream:NOW TV / Sky Go app
As ever, Sky Sports' dedicated Formula One channel, Sky Sports F1, are showing all the action from every single session in 2024.
For fans planning to live stream their fill of F1 this season, you can also watch by using the Sky Go app if you're an existing subscriber, or by purchasing a Sky Sports Pass on NOW TV.
How to watch the 2024 F1 season in Australia
- TV channel:Fox Sports /Channel 10
- Live stream:Kayo Sports / Foxtel Go
Fox Sports are covering every race for Australian-based audiences in 2024, while free-to-air station Channel 10 will only be showing the Australian Grand Prix.
How to watch the 2024 F1 season in India
F1 fans in India can watch each circuit on subscription service F1 TV Pro, which also offers full race highlights and replays.
The coverage will include the live broadcast of the practice and qualifying sessions, of top of the races themselves.
