Ferrari have issued an update on Carlos Sainz’s physical condition, suggesting the Spaniard is on track to return to the cockpit in Melbourne although super-sub Ollie Bearman remains on call.
A spanner was thrown into Ferrari's Saudi Arabian GP weekend last time out when Sainz was diagnosed with appendicitis on Friday morning, forcing him to pull out of the event and undergo emergency surgery.
The unexpected turn of events thrust 18-year-old Bearman, Ferrari's reserve driver, into the spotlight.
Despite his rookie status, the young Briton was immediately up to speed, delivering a remarkably mature and composed performance in qualifying and on race day which he concluded in seventh place despite Jeddah’s pressure-cooker environment.
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Thankfully for Ferrari and their championship aspirations, the Italian outfit’s latest update suggests Sainz will reclaim his seat in the SF-24 for the Australian GP.
This will provide much-needed stability for the Scuderia, especially considering Red Bull's dominant start to the season.
However, Bearman remains on standby as the team’s reserve driver, while the talented apprentice will also compete in F2’s championship rounds at Albert Park with Prema.
“Carlos Sainz is expected to be back in the car, having had to miss Jeddah with appendicitis,” Ferrari said in a pre-race statement.
“He and team mate Charles Leclerc will most likely be fighting at the front of the field, as they have done in the first two rounds.”
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s round of racing down under, Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur believes the Scuderia has indeed the potential to be front runners at the Albert Park circuit after emerging as Red Bull’s closest rival in Bahrain and in Saudi Arabia.
“The Albert Park track is a favourite with the drivers and one where Ferrari has always enjoyed a lot of support,” said Vasseur. “We expect to be front runners on this track which could produce a similar pecking order to the one seen in Jeddah.
“We intend adopting an aggressive approach with the aim of putting pressure on the team [Red Bull] that’s won the first two races.”
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