The Scuderia stands united: Forza Carlos!

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Carlos Sainz is sidelined this weekend due to appendicitis, but his Ferrari team rallied behind him on Friday with their best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Sainz had been feeling under the weather on Wednesday but nevertheless took part in Thursday’s opening day of practice in Jeddah.

However, on Friday morning he was whisked off to hospital after acute pain set in. A diagnosis of appendicitis was made, and surgery ensued.

Scuderia team boss Fred Vasseur said the procedure was uncomplicated and that Sainz - seen in the photo hereunder recovering with his father at his side - is in good spirits.

“The surgery is okay,” Vasseur told Sky F1. “Not for this weekend for sure [his return], but I hope that he will be back soon.

“It’s a tough moment but everything is going in the right direction now and we have to think about the future.”

Sainz’s absence saw F1 rookie Ollie Bearman thrown in at the deep end. The 18-year-old qualified an impressive P11 and will receive his baptism by fire this evening in Jeddah.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.