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Ferrari F1 Driver Carlos Sainz Jr. Will Miss Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

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Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Out for Saudi Arabian GPJOSEPH EID - Getty Images

Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman will make his Formula 1 debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Saturday night after Ferrari racer Carlos Sainz was ruled out through illness.

Sainz, who finished on the podium in Bahrain last Saturday, missed media activities at Jeddah through illness and was unwell throughout Thursday’s practice sessions. On Friday, Ferrari confirmed that Sainz has been suffering from appendicitis and will require surgery.

As a consequence he has been ruled out of action for at least this weekend's race.

Bearman has been drafted in to make his Formula 1 debut in place of Sainz. The 18-year-old Briton is racing in Formula 2 this season and had claimed pole position around the streets of Jeddah in the secondary category.

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Ferrari reserve Bearman had already been pencilled in for six FP1 sessions with Haas in 2024, having competed in two practice sessions for the team last year. He has been part of Ferrari’s Driver Academy since 2022 and last year finished sixth in Formula 2 with four victories.

Bearman will use No. 38 and become the first Briton to race for Ferrari since Nigel Mansell in 1990.

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Oliver Bearman will get his first F1 start in Saudi Arabia.Clive Rose - Getty Images